Govt primary schools witness increase in student enrolment

Shivani Bhakoo

Ludhiana, July 13

In an attempt to convince parents to send their wards to government primary schools, the District Education Department (Elementary) claims to have witnessed an increase in the number of students as compared to the previous year. As per data available with the office, 1,77,914 students had sought admission in government primary schools in the district this year, which was the highest in Punjab.

Expressing happiness over the feat, Deputy DEO Manoj Kumar said it was a matter of pride that Ludhiana district was numero uno in admitting huge number of students in primary schools. Last year, the number was 1,73,677, while 4,237 more students were admitted to the government schools this year.

The Education Department officials said blocks, including Mangat 1, Mangat II, Mangat III, Ludhiana I, Ludhiana II, Jagraon, Sudhar, Raikot and Doraha, etc and all others had made tremendous efforts to increase the enrolment process. The teachers visit villagers’ homes in the rural areas to make them aware about the facilities being provided in schools.

Similar efforts are made by the faculty in urban areas. “Even if we have over 1,000 students and infrastructure is less, we do not refuse admission to any child. Everyone is accommodated as per the government’s guidelines. We do face difficulties while accommodating huge number of students, but there is no option and admissions are given to all,” said a class teacher of a government primary school in Ludhiana Block II, the building of which is too congested to admit more students.

A meeting regarding student enrolment was held recently, wherein DEO Lalita Arora asked the staff to visit door-to-door to exhort parents to sending their wards to government schools as free books, uniforms, mid-day meals and stationary was provided by the government.