1,000 new admissions, Adarsh school now grapples with space, staff crunch

Sameer Singh

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, April 25

Post a record 1,000 new admissions in less than three weeks of the new academic session, Government Adarsh Senior Secondary School, Canal Colony, is facing a bigger challenge — to accommodate as many as 1,782 students in 17 rooms.

Apart from the space and infrastructural requirements, the school authorities are finding it difficult to teach students with the existing strength of teachers. The matter is in the notice of higher authorities but owing to the Model Code of Conduct in effect, not much can be done for now, said one of the senior functionaries of the district Education Department.

Left with barely any alternative, the school authorities have started conducting classes in the school verandah and are stuffing two sections in one classroom. With the strength doubled from the previous academic session, half of the students sit on benches while others sit on the floor in the classrooms.

Interestingly, the admissions process is still on and a long queue of parents and children can be seen at the admission counter of the school. More than 70 per cent of the new admissions are students who have shifted from private schools in the district.

Sources said since the Model Code of Conduct is in place, the school authorities have worked out a possible way to handle the current situation. They have made a proposal to the district Education Department, requesting the latter to introduce evening shift in the school. They contended that with two shifts (primary and high school wing) in place, the space constraint could be managed in a better way.

Sources said as far as the requirement of teachers was concerned, if new appointments or transfers could not be done, the department could send teachers on deputation for now.

A teacher, requesting anonymity, said conducting classes of close to 1,800 students was practically not feasible for 31 teachers. The demand for 20 more teachers has also been submitted to the Education Department.

Owing to good performance by students of the school in academics, sports and extracurricular activities, the Adarsh school has been one of the most sought after educational institutes for admissions. But until last year, the school was permitted to enroll not more than 70 students in a single class. Now, in a bid to increase admissions in government schools, the state Education Department has lifted that limit and allowed maximum number of admissions from the current academic session.

Rajinder Singh, spokesperson for the state Education Department, said “We have instructed the respective Education Department officials at the district level to ensure double shifts in schools where strength has increased multifolds in the current academic session. Since, the poll code is in place, the officials can ensure temporary arrangements to accommodate the increased number of students.”

Singh said, “It is indeed a significant development that a government school has witnessed more than 1,000 new admissions. Parents in large numbers have started reposing their faith in the government schools now. Parents who want to educate their children in English-medium schools find it the most suitable alternative. What is driving them is the fact that their kids will get quality education in English medium in a government school with very less fee.”