Enrolment down by 9.1 pc in govt schools

Karam Prakash
Tribune News Service
Patiala, April 25

The state Education Department’s claims of different enrolment drives are seemingly humbug because government schools across Punjab have already recorded a dip in the admissions this year.

Despite a purportedly strong push from the Education Secretary himself, almost every school saw a decline in student enrolment by 10 per cent.

In fact, the state Education Department finds itself in a tight spot after 2.11 lakh students opted out of the state-run schools in the current academic session, which started on April 1.

In the academic session 2018-19, the total number of admissions in the state were 23,29,622, while in the current session in 2019-20 only 21,17,741 students have been enrolled. As per the records of the Education Department, the state witnessed an overall dip of 9.10 per cent in enrolment as compared to the previous session.

Pathankot worst performer

With 15.74 per cent decline, Pathankot district has recorded the worst enrolment, which is followed by Sangrur with 14.09 per cent dip in student intake.

Moreover, teachers, school staff and District Education Officers were asked to give priorities to enrolment over other routine work time and again. In February, teachers were even asked to mobilise the village panchayats to motivate parents to enrol their wards in government schools.

Poor scheme implementation

Teachers blamed the poor school management by the top brass for poor show. Teachers claimed that out of three motivational schemes — free food, books, and uniforms — only free food scheme was properly implemented. Other two incentives, in fact, were poorly handled by the authorities concerned. Dev, a schoolteacher in Patiala district, said, “Neither books, nor uniforms reached the schools in time. Even, until today, many schools have not received books. It is a total failure of the administration.”

Teachers’ protests also to blame 

Another factor, experts believe, was of the negative perception of government schools due to the long violent protests by teachers. Mass transfers, suspensions, and regular protests outside schools instilled a sense of fear among people.