The State government is mulling over commencing lower kindergarten (LKG) and upper kindergarten (UKG) classes in government-run primary schools to ensure enrolment of more children to nursery classes and to eliminate the donation menace. Minister of State for Primary and Secondary Education Kimmane Ratnakar, who recently held consultations with Union Minister for Human Resource Development Smriti Irani on drafting the country’s New Education Policy, mooted the proposal in the wake of 462 government schools reporting zero admissions last year.
Mr. Ratnakar told presspersons on Saturday that the State would commence LKG and UKG classes in government schools if the Centre would give more funds. Moreover, anganwadi staff could be trained to teach the students, he said. Currently, only private educational institutions offer LKG and UKG courses in the State and on completion, students normally continue in the same school, the Minister noted.
Mr. Ratnakar also urged the Union Minister to introduce amendments to the RTE Act to ensure enrolment of children belonging to socially and educationally backward classes in government schools. The government has been reimbursing fees of students admitted in private schools under the Act. The Minister said that instead of reimbursing crores of rupees to private schools, the amount can be used to develop infrastructure in government schools to attract students.
State will commence
LKG and UKG classes
if Centre is willing to
give more funds
Minister Kimmane Ratnakar
