Panel to execute merger of schools

 The government may soon constitute an ‘implementation committee’ to execute the recommendations of Prof R Govinda Committee on Structural Upgradation and Reorganisation of School Education in Karnataka.

The committee had recommended that schools with less than 30 students in classes 5, 6 and 7 be merged with nearby schools, apart from bringing PU education under the high school fold. 

On Friday, the committee interacted with the public on the issue in which several teachers’ and lecturers’ associations took part. The recommendation to merge PUC with high school, in a bid to increase enrolment for pre-university education attracted scathing criticism from PU lecturers’ associations.

The associations pointed out that the measure was untenable as it would jeopardise the careers of pre-university lecturers.

Speaking to reporters, Prof R Govinda said that the committee will allay the fears of lecturers. “Many pre-university colleges are attached to either degree or high school buildings of the same institution. Accommodating the students and lecturers, in such a case would not be a problem at all.” In cases where PU colleges are functioning in isolation, the government will have to look into avenues to accommodate lecturers, he added.

The committee has also proposed that the B Ed course be made mandatory for PU lecturers to augment the quality of education imparted. “For this, the quality of B Ed education offered must also be improved,” Prof Govinda said. With regard to the merger of Class 8 with middle school, the chairperson of the committee said that he would ask the government to train teachers well, before implementing the recommendation.

Lecturers’ and teachers’ associations on the other hand, have threatened to protest the merger of PU education with schools, if the government goes ahead with the proposal.