Move to rationalise schools prompts speculation

Apprehensions being expressed regarding the administration’s ability to address issues that might arise as a result of the decision. It is feared that the dropout rate, particularly among girls, which stands at 63 per cent at present among girls from class 7 to class 10, is expected to dip further

The model village Osmannagar school in Osmannagar at Medak.Photo: MOHD ARIF

Though the decision taken by the State government to rationalise schools has by and large been welcomed by different sections of society, apprehensions are being expressed regarding the administration’s ability to address issues that might arise as a result of the decision.

In Medak district, there are a total of 2,899 government schools, of which 502 are high schools, 423 are upper primary schools and 1,974 are primary schools. According to the decision taken by the government, it was decided to close primary schools where the student strength was less than 20, upper primary schools where the student strength was less than 40 in both class VI and VII and high schools where there were less than 75 students. If that is followed, it is estimated that about 300 schools would be closed down, which would impact about 7,000 students.

According to sources in the education department, areas like Narayanakhed, Kangti, Kalher, Manoor, Nyalakal, Shivampet, Zaheerabad and Narsapur areas will be worst hit as a result of the government’s decision. Lack of awareness among parents on the importance of education is low here. Most parents prefer to engage their children in grazing cattle and in fields instead of sending them to school.

It is feared that the dropout rate, particularly among girls, which stands at 63 per cent at present among girls from class 7 to class 10, is expected to dip further

The adverse impacts of the decision include increase in the dropout rate, children becoming labourers to support families as they do not have access to schools, and increase in the number of child marriages, which is already rampant in the district.

Bhojyanaik tanda in Jarasangam witnessed 56 cases of dropouts and child labour in 2010. We were able to establish a school in the tanda only after writing more than 18 letters to the concerned officials. Even though a school was located about 1.5 km away, parents preferred not to send their wards. Lack of primary schools will create several problems, said D. Anajaiah, mandal education officer, Kohir, who earlier worked at Jarasangam.