Fri. Mar 29th, 2024
For representational purpose

Following the AP government’s move to close down about 6000 government schools, activists of RTE show massive criticism. More that 60% of these schools are primary schools. The AP government justifies this move as rationalization as the enrollment is continuously diminishing.

Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act (RTE) emphasizes on the importance of free and compulsory education for children between 6 and 14 in India under Article 21A of the Indian Constitution. By closing down schools, activists say, the government violating the fundamental rights of children as the RTE Act says that all children must get an education within 1km from their residence. They say, it is the job of the government to keep the enrollment up and it is not a valid reason to shut down schools in the state.

Activists like Chiku Moralimohan also inquire about the future use of the current infrastructure of these schools.

Following the criticism, CM Chandrababu Naidu had earlier this month asked the officials to tread with caution before shutting schools down.

According to The Hans India, Naidu also said despite expenditure of Rs 22,000 crore on school education per year, the fall in enrolment has not stopped and this has become a serious concern.

The CM says there are schools with only about 7 to 9 students and a teacher. The government does not pays a thick salaries to these teachers to teach half a dozen of students.

Despite the reasoning by the government, the activists show great disagreement. They demand for another alternative because, according to them, this move brings more bad than good. They say, low enrollment must not mean low access. This, they object, is not a promising option.

However, welcoming the move G Sree Ram Moorthy, a leader of the United Teachers Federation said, “They (government) should clear the doubts around rationalisation process, they should also make enough transport arrangements for students.”

By Rupal