By KJ Jose
Right to Education 2009 guarantees, free and compulsory education for children up to 14 years of age. The act says clearly ‘Free and compulsory education’. The implication of the act is that; a proper and value based education will be imparted to all children poor, rich, marginalized, children with disabilities, migrants, etc.. an inclusive education for all. The idea is incredible and far-fetched.
For the past five years, when I teach the children on RTE in my value education class, I ask them this question – when RTE assures ‘Free and compulsory education’ why do you pay the school fees? The students get a shock, since the Principal himself is asking the question, ‘why do you pay the fees’. After some discussions the children come up with this answer – since the government schools are not functioning or imparting proper education we are compelled to study in private schools.
This is the common scenario all over India, except in one or two states. The question is who is responsible for this pathetic condition of our government run schools? Who is accountable – the government departments, the Headmasters and teaches or the parents? In any case the children are not responsible. It is us adults that need to take responsibility.
In our state, Meghalaya, the scenario is no better, especially in Garo Hills. In the past few years the result of class X is between 28-32%, whereas in Khasi and Jaintia Hills it is more than 70%. It doesn’t mean that the children in Garo Hills are dull and not able to learn. They have good capacity to learn like any other children. Then the question arises, what is wrong? Who is responsible for this state of affairs?
I feel, we have failed collectively. There are many government/SSA Primary schools with two teachers. Five class rooms and two teaches is a poor ratio. There are other high schools with 100-150 students and ten or more teachers. The quality of education suffers when the student-teacher ratio has a wide gap. I believe our primary duty is to bridge this gap. Once the human resource is in place the rest would follow. In the same breadth, I like to say something about self responsibility. Even when the ratio is not proper, the single or two teacher schools can accomplish much if they are sincere, dedicated and have self responsibility. The passion for imparting knowledge and the thoughtfulness to build the future society with educated citizens need to be awakened within the teachers. The spirit to do one’s duty despite lack of supervision is a virtue, every teacher needs to nurture within himself/herself.
Monitoring is another important factor in implementing the teaching-learning process. Government departmental supervisions need to be systematic and ongoing. The authorities need to check the learning of the learners. In-service training for teachers should be mandatory during winter vacation. Every teacher needs to brush-up their knowledge and teaching skills. Use of technology and innovation needs to find a place in the class rooms. When Primary education is not inclusive and conclusive, the whole system of education fails.
Another important area is the supervision by the parents’ body and the School Managing Committee. They have a great role to play in the proper management of the school. They can check and report to the authorities, whether the teachers are regular to the school and teaching is taking place regularly. This can happen when the concerned departments are open to their suggestions and keep a link with the parents’ body and the School Managing Committee.
I strongly feel, we need to take certain concrete measures to improve the quality of education in Garo Hills and improve the skills, knowledge and pass percentage in the Board examinations, otherwise we will be left with youngsters who are disillusioned, dissatisfied and jobless. There are schools with zero pass percentage in the Board examinations every year. Can this be tolerated and accepted as a pattern or norm? Someone should take the responsibility and do corrective measures to stop this ‘Zero pass’ system!
I earnestly hope, this present government would ‘bell the cat’ and revamp the whole system of education in Meghalaya, especially in Garo Hills.
(Bro. K.J.Jose is Director and Principal, Montfort Centre for Education, Tura Email: [email protected])