Academics in Pandemic: 'It was 2,559 last term, increased to 2,835 this year'

Strap: Gurinderjit Kaur, Principal, Nehru Garden Girls Sr Sec School, shares how crisis-hit time couldn’t curtail the enrolments here

with 2,850 students this Govt school does better than many privates

In 2010 when she became the Principal of the Nehru Garden Girls Senior Secondary School, it had only 1,394 students. Today, the number has risen to 2,835. Gurinderjit Kaur heads one of the most progressive government schools in the district. Grappling with the same challenges as all other institutions did during the pandemic, her school saw a dramatic hike of over 1,100 students even then. However, the Covid comes with its own set of troubles for education sector as many students refrained from coming to school, dwindling economies especially in the middle and lower middle class, and the tedious shift to digital education. Even amidst Covid the school has continued striving for quality education. Teachers began mobilising efforts for admissions as early as January. Online classes are being held regularly. No doubt it has an illustrious list of Alumni, including Arjuna Awardee athlete Manjeet Kaur, IAS officer Kanishka Sharma and Indian Postal Services officer Disha Pannu. In conversation withAparna Banerji, she divulges about the milestone achieved and problems being faced nowadays.

The fact that it is a government school, how have you managed such a big number?

I have always believed the student strength of any school depends a lot on goodwill. It was 2,559 last year, increased to 2,835 this year despite 850 outgoing students of Class XII. In fact we have been consistently working on admissions each year because every year a sizeable number of Class XII students go out. We have consistently been producing state toppers every year. At least two to three merit positions and many students scoring above 80 per cent marks. Our teachers are diligent and students have bagged amazing placements – not to mention a list of illustrious Alumni. So, naturally when hefty fee caused many to opt out of private education, ours was the first choice.

What are the major challenges Covid posed?

While digital classes had been started early on, staff and students have been apprehensive about schools opening. Our prime concern was their health. The pandemic indeed caused a great set back. With general reports of some students opting out of education due to digital classes, we did a lot of brainstorming to ensure we retain our students and how to start classes again in the smoothest fashion. We commenced with caution and all proper protocol; attendance at first was thin but gradually picked up pace with the school even seeing 100 students attending some days ago. However, it has dipped again. On Tuesday, only 19 students came. Hopefully things will get better with time.

How are online sessions faring amidst regular classes?

Our teachers continue online classes as usual. There has not been any break as majority of the students are attending classes from home. There is also an attitude among some that they don’t need to come to school provided online lessons are there. However, teachers make sure they diligently lend sessions to those who are unable to make it, especially those who have no means to come. Side by side physical classes are also being held separately regardless of the number of students.

Given most of the government school students are from underprivileged sections. Does this pose problems in the pandemic?

Majority of our students are financially weak as is the case with any government school. We have to counsel many to come. Teachers keep checking with them. It is true that digital classes are difficult for some. Another problem is the fares they have to pay for auto-rickshaws since many students come from far, the prices pose a problem. Amid the pandemic, the charges have been hiked to Rs20. So, their families can’t afford to pay Rs40 per day for transportation. Some even stay farther in the land and have to pay over Rs40 on a daily basis.

So, how is the school managing equal education amidst these troubles?

Our teachers are very dedicated. Every year they visit students right in January for admissions. During the crisis, teachers have been in touch with parents and have been mobilising them to ensure wards’ education and now to send them to school. We are also helping many even after passing out. The school mobilised money for a former student who made it to NIT Jalandhar recently. While she couldn’t pay college admission fee, teachers pitched in with money from their own pockets and some NGOs also provided help after the school hit hard times. We have an illustrious list of doctors, engineers, UPSC and IAS candidates among students who made it big.