Article No. 8
29/June/2019
29/June/2019
Last 3
years, there is a huge enrollment increase in Government schools in Kerala, also
it reduced students in private schools. This trend is unusual and not an
anticipated one. Most of the government departments are lacking accountability
and productivity, it is not the case of government schools in the state. This
change seems to be progressive, but suspicious about how long it persists and
how much it will be a quality delivery system.
Government
schools in Kerala come either directly under the state Education Department or
under various managements with the support of the government. However, the
government-recognised self-financing schools don’t fall under this category.
According to government data, there are over 12,644 schools in the state, out
of which 4,504 are government schools, 7,277 aided schools and 863 unaided
schools. Out of the total number of schools, 6,817 are lower primary (LP)
schools, 3,037 upper primary (UP) and 2,790 high schools. Besides, there were
587 CBSE schools, 797 ICSE schools, 27 Kendriya Vidyalayas and 14 Jawahar
Navodaya Vidyalayas. At the higher secondary level, at present, there are 1,907
higher secondary schools, of which, 760 are government schools, 686 private
aided schools, and 461 unaided schools.
Both
Government and private schools have their own contribution to the educational
development of Kerala. But destroying level playing ground by Government will
make a long-lasting impact in educational competency in National and
International higher education opportunities for Kerala students. Switching of
students from private to government mainly due to Government’s high-voltage
campaign, crores of investment in government schools, high fee in private schools
with the profit motive and increased sincerity of teachers in government
schools due to division fall as well as job loss.
High-voltage
campaign & crores of investment in government schools
Government’s
high-voltage campaign with crores of investment in government schools makes the
drastic change towards approach and attitude to government schools in Kerala
among people. Lack of confidence in government and aided schools have been
changed by this move of the government. Parents are more keen on the adaptation
of technological aids in government and aided schools. Such as smart classroom
fitted with LCD projector, laptop, smart board etc. are now available in
Government schools. It changed the perception of parents about academic systems
in government schools.
State
Education Department had launched an education protection campaign, aiming at
the revival of the government schools in the state. Apart from this, the
government selected one school in each Assembly constituency to be upgraded as
a ‘centre of excellence’. Rs 5 crore had been sanctioned to each school, while
the school’s development committee had to arrange for an additional amount of
Rs 5 crore from the development funds of local MPs and MLAs. One hundred and
forty-nine schools were selected to be elevated to centres of excellence. In
addition, the Education Department has set up 45,000 hi-tech classrooms in
public schools.
Students,
who want to shift to public schools from private (unaided) schools will get
admission in Government or Aided schools without TC (Transfer Certificate),
which is declared in Government circular by State Education Department. They
can be admitted up to 8th grade as per their age according to the Right to
Education Act passed by Parliament of India.
Kerala State
Government purposefully intimidating and tarnishing images of CBSE/ICSE/IGCSE
syllabi and schools in states. Which includes destroying level playing field
with government machinery and public funds. Delay to the publishing of results
in CBSE/ICSE/IGCSE syllabi, state government purposefully scheduling the last
date earlier for Higher Secondary Admission. In 2017, CBSE filed a petition to
the court and got a favourable verdict.
High fee
in private schools with the profit motive
Private
schools depend on fee from the students. It is essential to collect the fee for
investment and day to day expenditure. But it must be par with demand in the
educational market in the state. Many private schools are made huge investments
for infrastructure development and that burden dump into the heads of the
parents of students. Educational business must be profitable, but it sometimes
found as over profiteering.
Quality is
the face of private education in the state. But it is unaffordable to many
parents in the present economic and financial situation. In the economic point
of view, there is a demand-supply mismatch in the educational industry. This
may due to Government over funding in government and aided school or
Middle-Income Trap started to affect families in Kerala, which cause to hinder
growth beyond a particular limit.
Another
important problem facing the educational industry in Kerala is after the
effects of low fertility rates. It will cause to reduce the number of children
in schools and colleges in upcoming years. This problem not only affects the
educational industry, but every economic activity might be hindered by it. More
North Indian people will be needed for the state in future. Therefore, private
schools in Kerala and their management must be careful in investing in
educational institutions in the state.
The
sincerity of teachers in government schools due to division fall as well as job
loss
Recent
years, it is been found that the increase in the sincerity of teachers in
government schools due to division fall as well as job loss. This sincerity is
developed in a sudden manner without changing any systemic administration. It
is doubtful how much it will be effective and how long it will continue. In a
labour system, permanent job with job security provided by the government, will
not be generally effective. Normally, workers must work under uncertainty of
job security; then they will always try to improve their efficiency to stay in
the system. Such a system will be more innovative and productive. This same issue
is also applicable to teachers in government and aided schools in the states.
So the quality of education in government and aided school will not be a
permanent phenomenon. There are exceptional teachers in government and aided
schools, but it is not a general trend for analysis and judgment.
Most of the
equipment in government schools are unused and not properly utilised. It is not
distributed based on demand, but distributing based on fund distribution. It is
a form of wastage of huge public money. Properly maintaining articles and items
in government and aided schools are not mandatory. This will eventually lead to
quality paralysis in the educational system in the state.
Be
cautious
If the
quality of education and competence in abilities is being reduced for a
generation, it will make a long-standing impact on Kerala society. Our students
need to compete with all India and international students in different
competitive examinations. CBSE/ICSE/IGCSE syllabi are prepared to meet such
national and international standards. There examination patterns and evaluation
methods are on par with the national and international level. State syllabus
and educational patterns are not enough. It is clearly evident that most of the
students attend in state’s 10 grade are passed. Students having full A+, are
being increased tremendously. But in fact, most of the students not having
fundamental knowledge in subjects, no proper practical knowledge in life and
not even distinguish right from the bad. So the education system in the state
needs to focus more on quality delivery rather than a quantitative focus for
snatching students from private schools.
By,
Nithin A F
Doing Post Graduation in Psychology
Thiruvanathapuram, Kerala.
Email : nithinaf@gmail.com
www.NithinAF.blogspot.com
29/June/2019
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