Sir,
It is good to know that education reforms are on fast track. Besides giving effect to the promotion of large number of Government teachers, a New Education Policy is under process. The credit goes to our Dy CM Tara Chand who holds the portfolio of Education in the State. Most of the good things are already in the system that require sincere implementation. Still there are a number of things that have to be done on priority level. For example, the recent protests by the parents of Private schools have drawn the attention of the Govt regarding continuous hike in fee structure. Most of these parents belong to the children who read in Hi-fi schools.
It seems difficult for the Govt to come out with a uniform fee structure for all private educational institutes as these differ at infrastructure level. But the Govt has the power to bring legislation for this irrespective of the standard or infrastructure level of the schools.
Now Right to Education is a fundamental right and 20 percent seats are reserved for the poor children in private schools. But how many of these private schools are providing free education to the needy children. Is there any mechanism with the Govt to make an assessment of performance of such institution regarding that.
So the privatisation in the field of education without the active participation and intervention of the Govt is not going to yield any fruitful results. We cannot treat education like insurance and banking sector wherein 100% privatisation can be allowed.
The other side of the scene is even more pathetic. The teaching community has to face lot of exploitation in the hands of owners of private institutions. Except few schools, a large number of these institutions are not even paying the minimum wages as prescribed by the Department of labour and employment. Teachers are still being paid between ` 1,000 to ` 2,000 against the minimum wages of ` 6,000 pm for skilled labour. Due to corruption and influence private owners menus with field inspectors of Labour and Employment, PF and ESI Departments and get their records OK. Thus, spreading dust in the eyes of all the stakeholders. So, making new education policy with stringent laws would not serve any purpose unless put into action.
Yours etc…
Jagdish Raj Shivgotra
Digiana Pully, Jammu
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