ETT teachers protest plan to close 800 govt schools

Nikhila Pant Dhawan

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, October 21

Primary school teachers today upped the ante against the state government’s decision to close 800 primary schools, which do not have many students.

Members of the ETT Teachers Union, Punjab, today convened a state-level meeting here and derided the decision.

State president of the union, Jagsir Singh Sahota, and members Hardeep Singh Sidhu, general secretary Ajit Dwivedi, Malwa zone president Ranjit and others argued that the state government’s decision of shutting down the primary schools with 20 or less students was not backed by reason.

The state government has decided that the primary schools, which have 20 or less students, will be shut down and the students and teachers will be shifted to nearby schools. It will not only save the resources but also raise the standard of education.

The union members stated that the state government’s decision would cause inconvenience to the students and teachers as they would have to travel for long distance.

They argued that the major reason for lower enrollment in primary schools was that the people were doubtful of the standard of education in government schools.

“The teachers are not to be blamed for the low enrollment of students. In fact, the state government’s policies aiming at favouring privatisation of the education sector are to be blamed. Shortage of teachers in schools and non-availability of books, uniforms and other facilities were other factors that have blemished the image of government schools, especially those located in remote villages,” Sahota said.

The union member urged the state government to recall its decision and work towards strengthening the education system by recruiting more teachers and providing basic facilities to the students.

The union members also appealed to other teachers organisations to come together and protest against the government decision.