DNA: New Delhi: Monday, December 18, 2017.
A recent report
released on the condition of public schooling in the national capital, once
again raised the alarm on the "deteriorating condition" of the school
run by the Municipal Corporations of Delhi (MCDs).
"The
estimated dropout percentage in schools run by the North MCD is 6.1 per cent,
South MCD is 6 per cent in the academic year 2016-17," the report titled
'State of Public (School) Education in Delhi 2017' released by the NGO Praja
Foundation on Thursday. The East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC), however, has
not provided any information on the number of dropouts in their schools.
On average,
from the three Municipal Corporations, in the last three years (2014-15 to
2016-17), the EDMC has witnessed the maximum dropout followed by North Delhi
Municipal Corporation. Highest drop of 30 per cent being reported in Class 1,
between 2010 to 2017.
The data was
compiled on the basis of RTI received from 640 schools of MCD. These schools
offer education from Class 1 to Class 5. Afterwards, students move to
government-run schools.
The report
also highlighted the status of teacher quality in these schools with 55 per
cent of MCD schools show a medium level of teacher quality. "On an
average, teachers from 55% MCD schools reported to have a medium level of
teaching quality based on the various parameters under SSEF whereas 34%
reported to have a high quality of teaching," it said.
In a bid to
provide inclusive education under the right to Education Act, 2009, a ramp for
differentially-abled is mandatory in every school under RTE norms. However, in
the academic 2016- 17, 21% of the NDMC schools, 8% of SDMC and 15% of EDMC
schools did not have ramps for the differently-abled students.
Officials at
the corporations, however cite "lack of resources" as the reason
behind all these discrepancies. "We are always short of resources. We
don't even have money to spend on basic infrastructure," a senior
education official at the corporation said.
However, the
Praja report said that "there is no constraint on available
resources"."In terms of the infrastructure available, teacher quality
and budget allocation, there is no constraint on available resources. The
corporation is faring well on the student teacher ratio, the quality of teacher
is above average and the budget estimate being set by the state government at
49,740 rupees per child," it said.
CRUNCHING
FIGURES
18,860The
number of students who dropped out from New Delhi Municipal Corporation schools
in the academic year 2016-17
15,787The
number of students who opted out from the schools run by South Delhi Municipal
Corporation for the academic year 2016-17.
BUDGET
ESTIMATE (2016-17)
NDMC: Rs
15,505 lakh
SDMC Rs
12,360 lakh
EDMC: 14,075
lakh
EXPERT
SPEAK
“We have
well-trained teachers who are being selected through an entrance exam conducted
Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board. In terms of dropout rate, there are
two reasons behind it is including regular relocation of slum clusters and the
primary classes started by the Delhi government schools. People prefer to send
their children in one school rather than changing their schools after Class 5”
Tilak Raj
Kataria, standing committee chairman North MCD
VOICES
I don’t
believe in the quality of education in government schools. Around 15 years back
when I had to choose school for my children, I opted for private school. And
any parent would do the same as everybody wants to give best education to their
child. Primary education makes the base of a student and it should be very
strong for a better future which is not possible in public schools.
Ritu Jain,
Housewife
The quality
of government schools is getting better as compared to previous years. When I
took admission in school, my parents did not even consider the option of public
schools. Society taboo was a major reason behind it. Nobody wants to say that I
have studied in public schools. But now the conditions are improving and I feel
the next generation will have a more positive perspective for public schools.
Aditya
Jain, Engineering student
I took
admission in government school when private schools rejected me for admission
as I was from Bihar. I have done my higher education from there and it was the
time when Aam Admi Party was promising (as their election agenda) that bribe
taker will go through the rough ways. The irony is I had to give bribe on the
very day when AAP won the elections.
Aaryan
Chand Prakash, Student
If I would
have this option of making choice between public and private schools, I would
definitely choose the later one. Many reasons can be listed to justify my
choice. For instance, teachers are kept busy with other activities like
election duties, function preparations that leaves no time with them to teach
students. Education quality is not up to the standards of tough competitions.
Kavita
Gupta, Housewife
I definitely
will not choose public schools for my daughter. Government is lacking in many
aspects for making the education system better and cheaper. There is no
infrastructure in government schools, the toilets are not proper and also less
efficient staff. When the basic needs are not fulfilled the quality education
is a far sight. Also the class which is mostly associated with public schools
is low and thus prevent the overall growth of the children.
Razia
Malik, Housewife
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