The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Mapping of schools in twin cities by June

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Saturday, Apr 26, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Mapping of schools in twin cities by June

J.S. Ifthekhar

Exercise to reorganise 821 government schools before they reopen

Proposal to merge schools functioning from same premises
213 schools are functioning from 64 buildings

Hyderabad: It’s a Herculean task undoubtedly, but the district administration hopes to do the impossible. It has decided to bring some semblance of order to school education in the State capital. Before they reopen in June, the much talked about reorganisation of schools will take place.

The shift system and a single premises being home to several schools could be thing of past. An elaborate exercise is on to map out the 821 government schools in the twin cities, including the infrastructure available. It is proposed to integrate and merge the schools functioning from the same premises so as to ensure that there is at least one teacher for every class.

Hyderabad Collector Navin Mittal on Thursday commenced the marathon exercise of visiting schools in the city. To start with, he went round some of the 75 government schools in Bahadurpura mandal to explore the possibilities of merging them wherever possible. As many as 213 schools are functioning from 64 buildings. Most of them lack basic facilities like drinking water, electricity and toilets. Where toilets are available they are either chocked or badly maintained, it is said.

Kokakitatti school is a classic example of being home to seven different institutions. In Chanchalguda six schools function from one location and in Nallagutta four. “It is better to merge such schools in the interest of the students and education,” feels Mr. Mittal.

Teacher reconciliation is also on the cards. Some of the highly qualified teachers are handling primary classes. They would be shifted to high schools and less qualified teachers will be posted in primary and upper primary schools. The district authorities propose to take up construction of school buildings using the Rs. 34 crore available with Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan in the next one year. The idea is to have all government schools functioning from own premises. At present of the 821 schools, 276 are running in government buildings, 211 in rented buildings and 334 in rent-free buildings like community halls.

Corporate involvement

Mr. Mittal is trying to persuade the multinational companies to adopt schools. As part of their social responsibility they can provide furniture, books, computers and carry out repairs.

The services of Nandi Foundation and Satyam Foundation will be used to rope in the corporate houses.

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