'Need more teachers to improve student enrolment'

Education department officers tell at a consultative meeting at DIET

The enrolment rate of students in government schools can be increased by solving the problem of shortage of teachers, said officials from The Department of Public Instruction.

They were speaking at a consultative meeting on the enhancement of government school organised by the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, the district administration, the Zilla Panchayat, the Women and Child Development Department, and the District Child Protection Unit, at DIET on Tuesday.

“Owing to shortage of teachers in government schools, parents think twice before enrolling their wards there. The issue of shortage of teachers should be given priority,” said the Birur block education officer.

Speaking further, the BEO said that the government order on age criterion for admissions for Class I is 5 years and 10 months. “This is also one of the reason for decline in enrolment into government schools. There was no flexibility in permitting admission of children who were slightly below the prescribed age. A total of 146 children were admitted to Class I in Birur block. There are 846 children slightly below the prescribed age group in the block,” said the officer.

Cluster resource persons and block resource persons said that students in villages have to walk several kilometres to reach their respective schools. “There is a need to provide transport facilities to such children. Indoor stadium should be constructed in Malnad region,” they said.

The meeting also discussed electricity connections, library, compound, sports kit, teaching aid, toilet facilities and furniture in schools.

Kripa Alva, Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights chairperson, said that efforts are being made towards enhancement of government schools in the state.

“The toilets in some schools are not in good condition. Education plays a vital role in moulding the future of the children. Only education will help in checking child marriage and child labour systems,” the chairperson stated.
DH News Service