Education Department woes parents to enrol more students in govt schools

Shivani Bhakoo

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 16

Parents in good numbers attended the ‘School Darshan’ programme here today. ‘School Darshan’ is an initiative taken by the Education Department to make parents aware about facilities given to students in various schools of the district.

Majority of schools ensured that Covid guidelines were properly being followed during the programme, but still many parents were taking the infection lightly. The school authorities apprised parents to wear masks for their own safety.

Although the Education Department may have planned the event to enrol more students, yet it failed to provide science and maths books to pupils above Class VI onwards. Parents were told to collect the books later from respective schools of their wards.

Sukhdarshan Singh from Kot Mangal Singh said parents came especially to collect books for their wards. But, the Education Department failed to send enough maths and science books, he added. Parents were told to visit schools again to collect books, he said.

“The department knew that parents will be given books for their wards. The department should have ensured that books were available for all students. If books have not been published yet, the ‘School Darshan’ programme could have been held later. Most parents had come to collect books and not to see school premises,” he added.

The Government School Teachers’ Union general secretary, Parveen Kumar, said many parents visited schools in the district, but it was difficult for the authorities concerned to make them understand to wear masks for their own protection from coronavirus.

“Parents wore masks in front of us, but these were either removed later or worn in a wrong manner. There is spike in Covid cases and as responsible citizens we need to follow preventive guidelines. Only then our children will take precautions,” he added.

Many parents were happy to see improvement in government schools. Quite many of them are shifting their wards from private to government schools.

“We are happy that the government is providing all facilities in schools. Now, we don’t have to spend much on studies of our children. Otherwise, it was getting difficult for persons like me, who earn their daily bread after working so hard, to continue providing education to our kids in private schools,” said Sardool Singh, who runs a small tea stall near Bharat Nagar Chowk.

Meanwhile, ‘School Darshan’ programme was a hit with parents whose wards studied in private schools. As per press release, almost all government schools of the district got good response from such parents. They were impressed to see changes in government schools.

All principals, heads and teachers welcomed parents particularly those, whose children studied in private school. They apprised parents about the smart school development plan.

Principal Dr Davinder Singh Chhina said, “Paankpreet Singh Mundi, an Italy-born student, who was earlier studying at a private school in Rara Sahib, has got admission in Shahpur Smart School today.”