As a concerned citizen, what has been bothering me most for some years now is seeing the parents running from one school to another for admission of their wards in institutions. Private schools give away the Transfer Certificate (T.C.) to the failed students, as they are after good result and high pass percentage, not pondering much about the parents’ plight and the welfare of the poor students. As a result, the parents find it difficult to re-admit their wards in the same school and are compelled to seek admission in other institutions, which is not an easy task for failed students. As last, they turn to the Govt. schools whose authority is found to be more considerate to shoulder the responsibilities to educate and train the underprivileged students in spite of their problem of accommodating more students and lack of infrastructure. They are more concerned with the slogan of “Education for all” and more caring for the future of the students’ fate. Otherwise, if the failed students are refused admission in any of the schools then where will they go? They will become dropouts and antisocials. In such a situation, the slogan of “Education for all” seems to be just a paper policy whereas we have to face lots of problem to get admission.
Every year after the HSSLC & HSLC results are declared, it is observed that govt. teachers are blamed by the concerned authority for not doing as well as the private schools. We would like to justify this point on the ground that, when the raw materials are not good, the quality of the products will not be good. Govt. schools may not be concerned so much about the high pass percentage but they are more concerned with the parents’ problem and students’ welfare. It is to be reminded that if the authorities expect good results from the govt. schools, enough facilities should be provided to them. The appointment of teachers should be done based on quality and not through political interference. In the private institute, the appointment of teachers is based on quality. If a teacher is not found to be sincere and efficient they are replaced by more capable and sincere teachers which is not possible in the govt. schools once they are appointed to the post. Of course, all the teachers are not same, as there are many irresponsible teachers who do very little for the students but we find many devoted and sincere govt. teachers who are shouldering the responsibility in educating the rejected ones and the under-privileged students in spite of the lack of infrastructure and required facilities.
It is high time for the govt. to open their eves and change their policy and attitude towards the govt. schools and concentrate more on quality education by not only pointing their fingers at the school authority and the teachers. When we look at the buildings of the govt. schools, most of the buildings are on the verge of collapsing, which were built some 30-40 years back but not repaired nor attended to. Quality education can not be imparted without the basic amenities and facilities. Whereas, the private schools are capable of providing all the required facilities by collecting high fees from the students and as a result, they can provide quality education and perform better than the govt. institutions.
It is high time for the policy makers and bureaucrats to reform the system and give a serious thought on the quality education of the govt. schools even if your children are sent to private schools, which the common people and the poor parents cannot afford. Let us first examine the root of the tree if it does not bear good fruit and then take remedial measures.
Concerned parents,
Mrs Tokali Sumi, Mrs Yanbeni, Mrs Atula
Dimapur Town
