Major drop in enrolment figures in government schools

With the enrolment of students on the decrease, School Education Department officials recently conducted a survey in government primary and middle schools. 

The State government has stipulated that there must be at least 50 students per class at the primary level. The middle schools should have a minimum of 40 students per class. The findings have revealed that a total of 1,311 schools have less number of students.  

A senior Education Department official told DTNext on Thursday that the number of students is less than ten in around 700 primary schools.

Giving out a reason, the official said many areas have two government schools nearby, leading to students choosing one institution over the other. 

Stating that teachers working in schools with poor student strength failed to boost the admission figures, the official said, “Despite the government’s clear instruction, many teachers have failed to take the necessary action.” 

Since kindergarten classes in government schools are yet to be started, the official said students from poor economic background seek admissions in private schools through RTE. “It is quite clear that students are reluctant to join government schools when they see the facilities in private institutions,” he added.

The percentage of enrolment of boys and girls at the primary level is 51.56 and 48.44 per cent respectively, while at the upper primary level, the figure stands at 51.35 and 48.65 per cent respectively during the current year.