Lack of volunteers affects homeschoolers

Education Dept. finds it difficult to get qualified teachers in Mysore, Hassan

COIMBATORE, 28/10/2007:Students from Thanikandi tribal village learn science through hands-on activity at Isha Home School, in Poondi near Coimbatore on October 28, 2007. Photo: M.Periasamy

The State government’s decision to appoint graduates as homeschooling volunteers has affected the future of children with special needs, as the Education Department is finding it difficult to get qualified teachers.

All these years, the department appointed persons who have passed second PU to teach homeschoolers. But last year, the government made degree a minimum qualification for appointment of volunteers.

As the authorities hardly find degree holders in rural places, many homeschoolers were being deprived of training.

Following feedback from Block Education Officers, the Deputy Director of Public Instruction had written to the government a few days ago seeking permission to allow the department to appoint those who have passed second PU.

DDPI H.R. Basappa told The Hindu here on Friday that there were no volunteers who have passed degree in most villages. A few candidates who have obtained degree go to industries or other places of work. It is highly difficult to get degree holders to work as teachers for homeschoolers, he said.

Under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, special children are given free transport and escort.

There were over 270 homeschoolers in Mysore district last year and the government had spent over Rs. 25 lakh for these children. While there was no paucity of funds to help special children, the department continues to face severe shortage of volunteers in rural areas.