Anganwaris, Primary Schools Merger Could Bring Qualitative Changes

By: Jan 6th, 2018 12:21 am

Ram Lal Rana

(The writer is based at Seraj, Mandi)

Himachal Pradesh stands at second position in education after Kerala. The hill state has been honoured with numerous medals in education sector at national level but the quality of education in government schools is continuously declining. There are various reasons behind it. First is opening and up gradation of government schools in large numbers coupled with shortage of teachers. Second is migration of children of awakened section of the society from government schools. The third reason is lack of nursery and kindergarten classes in government schools. And last reason is elimination of threat of failure among students.

Road to improvement in education sector in this hilly state begins with review of recently opened and up graded schools as some of them were opened at places unnecessarily having a low students strength. Students and staff of schools with low strength should be merged with nearby schools to serve two purposes. One it will add competitive spirit among students and solve the problem of shortage of teachers to a certain extent. A transport allowance of Rs. 1,000 per month should be given to students of the merged school so as to reduce the angst of public against the government.

Many posts of teachers are lying vacant at present in primary to senior secondary schools in Himachal. Some primary schools are being run by a single teacher only. The strength of government schools mostly comprises of wards hailing from poor families. To strengthen educational sector, the government should make law that makes it mandatory for government teachers, officers, employees and public representatives to admit their children in government schools. This decision alone can change condition of government schools in a year.

Second, kindergarten classes should be started in government schools, as these classes makes a big difference between government and private schools as for as quality of education is concerned. The hardworking anganwari workers can add to this competition. The government should merge anganwaris with related primary schools. There is an anganwari centre established in almost every ward. The primary education department will get a major fillip if anganwaris are merged with primary schools. One the problem of shortage of teachers will be solved and second hard working anganwari workers will ensure that foundation of kids does not remain weak. There is no lack of qualitative education in government schools, the lack somewhere exists in individuality and system. The new government should review the lacunae in the system and bring about needed reforms to bring education sector on track.


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