Govt primary schools tackle staff shortage, focus on improvements

The government is working to increase student enrollment in government schools , but challenges remain. In an interview with Shivani Bhakoo, DEO Ravinder Kaur highlights the necessary steps for improving government schools.

In Ludhiana district, there are a total of 992 Government Primary Schools, many of which are facing a significant shortage of staff. According to the District Education Officer (DEO), 35 schools are without any teachers, while 155 schools are running with just a single teacher. Although infrastructure is not a problem and can be managed, the urgent need for staff remains a major concern.

The education system has undergone significant changes in recent years, with a shift towards activity-based education, focusing on languages and mathematics under the new Education Policy. This emphasis on projects and interactive learning aims to enhance student engagement.

The government school authorities are focusing on increasing admissions, particularly under the migratory admissions scheme, which ensures students automatically enroll in government schools due to their periodic movement. Ravinder Kaur, an education official, stressed that government schools are a much better alternative to many private schools.

Despite allegations that government schools perform poorly, the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) counters this claim. It reveals that government schools often achieve better results than private schools. Government school teachers are just as qualified and dedicated as those in private institutions.

A key initiative, Mission Arambh, has been introduced at the pre-primary level. Through this project, WhatsApp groups have been created for parents and teachers to facilitate direct, day-to-day feedback.

At the district level, the education department is working to improve primary education, focusing on both student and teacher motivation. To encourage excellence, awards are given to the best teachers and students. Recently, the department formed a partnership with TATA Steel, which adopted 16 schools to improve infrastructure and agreed to provide staff training, further demonstrating a commitment to enhancing the overall educational experience.