Shifting to govt schools

Among the many twists and turns that the coronavirus-induced lockdown has indirectly thrown up in the common man’s lifestyle, there is one churning that is pregnant with a promising lesson. With thousands of children in many cities of the region being forced to shift from expensive private schools to affordable government ones, the virus has given a huge push to the states’ efforts to pull in students over the past few years. Even as the row raging between parents and private school managements over the charging of full fees in the wake of shutting down of schools since March-end has reached the high court, it is not surprising that parents impacted hard by loss of jobs or businesses are veering towards government schools for their wards’ education. This welcome trend is apparent all around: 5,500 pupils have made the shift in Rohtak, Haryana, in this academic session; nearly 6,000 in Patiala, Punjab. With the statewide figures believed to have touched the six-digit mark, the authorities too are rising up to seize the moment.

To ensure a smooth transition, Haryana has eased the mandatory school-leaving certificate (SLC) rule by stipulating that the SLC, if not given within a fortnight, would be deemed to have been issued so that the wards are not left at the mercy of private schools that may be withholding it. Banking on the ‘English medium’ tag — that private institutes mainly flaunt to attract and fleece parents — along with its inherent benefit, Punjab last month allowed government schools to teach social studies in English.

However, their real test will come later. The states need to recognise holes in the system and improve the facilities. Rational teacher deployment and provision for computers, laboratories, libraries and toilets in all schools can smarten them up enough to produce results and counter the appeal of private schools, many of which are mere teaching shops. Roping in NGOs, panchayats and parents’ associations is an effective tool to maximising their vast resources. Only then will the government establishments be able to retain the influx of students. Hinged to success of the endeavour is the ultimate and desirable promise of making public schooling the first choice of all.