The R. Govinda Committee, constituted to suggest structural upgrade and reorganisation of school education, has decided to urge the government to undertake the task of mapping schools so that the proposed merging of government schools can be carried out effectively.
Prof. R. Govinda, chairperson of the committee and Vice-Chancellor of the National University of Educational Planning and Administration, New Delhi, told presspersons here on Friday that merging of government schools with poor student strength was a matter of concern.
He said, “Since there are several schools in the State that have a small number of students, the committee has recommended merging of schools. Mapping of schools will enable effective merger of schools to provide quality education.” He argued that higher secondary in the same school will be advantageous for children. Besides, it will improve admission rate at the university level. “This integration will reduce dropout rate in high schools. More number will take up undergraduate education. We would like Karnataka to contribute to the 30 per cent gross enrolment ratio target that is one of the aims of the 12th Five Year Plan.”
He said the panel report titled ‘Structural Upgradation and Reorganisation of School Education’ had received 354 responses. Pre-University lecturers are opposing the merger of pre-university education with schools.
Prof. Govinda said he will recommend to the State government to set up an implementation committee to study the issue in greater depth and go into the logistics issue. G.K. Sriram, general secretary, Karnataka State Pre-University Federation (KSPUF), alleged that the committee had made the recommendations under pressure and had not taken their opinions into consideration.
