Government primary schools have been a subject of debate for the past several years over their education, infrastructure and the dwindling student count. Seven government primary schools have been shut for the current academic year because of no enrolment of students. Last year another eight were shut down while seven schools were shut in 2022. Out of the seven closed this year, four are from Bicholim taluka while three are from Ponda. Government schools, around 694, down from 780 in 2018, have been facing a bleak future at a time when the implementation of the National Education Policy is taking shape.
Data presented in the recently concluded monsoon session of the Legislative Assembly paints a grim picture with forty-two government primary schools on the verge of closure due to zero enrolment this academic year. What’s worse is that around 400 schools have five or fewer students in Classes I to IV. The government-aided privately-managed primary schools have a better student count of over ten thousand, this even though fees are higher.
So why are these schools on a downward spiral and what is the government doing to turn them around? The State government has been maintaining that the primary school teachers are well-qualified and have been given regular training through the State Council for Education, Research and Training. Also, the government maintains that it has been investing in infrastructure upgrades in a phased manner.
However, contrary to the argument that the government primary schools provide a good ecosystem, data shows that 24 of these schools are run from premises not owned by the government, while over a hundred schools do not have a playground. There are many premises not conducive to learning. Horrific stories have unfolded over the years of kids studying in unsafe structures including leaking roofs and wet surfaces forcing even the parents to protest. Leave alone the facilities, as of now data shows that nearly fifty schools are in a precarious situation and need urgent repairs and maintenance.
While the government maintains that the job of renovation is on, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant argues that permitting private schools in proximity to government primary schools is mainly responsible for the decline. This, however, is flawed reasoning for the simple reason that students have migrated for better facilities and schooling. In this situation, the government should have upscaled its primaries to meet the challenges thrown by the private institutes. The amalgamation of nearby schools was a brilliant move, but strangely, it was not taken forward. It’s about students and their foundation, and they must get the best.
Infrastructure alone will not help in retaining students; schools need to provide a wholesome learning experience with trained teachers. Not permitting any more private schools for fear of government schools shutting down is a regressive approach. Revamp the academic structure to match the best in class so that even the parents are convinced that government schools are a better bet. Trying to retain students by keeping better schools out of bounds does not bode well for the future of these kids.
If the perspective of Goans on government schools has to change, Sawant will have to give this sector a complete makeover. Piecemeal changes and makeshift arrangements won’t help in a fast-evolving education space.
