Hyderabad: The story of government schools in the state, and for most part, across India, is a strange one. Privatisation of education couldn’t ruffle any of the government higher education institutions, but government-run schools have almost been wiped out of the education scenario. Today, they cater only to students from the rural and poorer sections.
There are suggestions from some quarters that there should be a rule that the makes it mandatory for government employees to send their children to government schools. Several research reports over the years have pointed out at the dismal state of government schools with almost non-existent infrastructure, defaulting school teachers and high drop-out rates. It seems the government itself is not bothered about its own schools.
In October 2012, the Supreme Court had directed the then undivided Andhra Pradesh to provide toilet facilities for boys and girls, drinking water and sufficient classrooms in all schools within six months. The state was also directed to appoint teaching and non-teaching staff in the schools. Almost two years later, in May 2014, the SC chided the still undivided state for not following its directions. Contrasting is the case of the Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya schools and Army-run schools. These schools have parents fighting for seats.
Dr D. Usha Reddy, chairperson, Hyderabad Sahodaya Schools Complex, said, “The idea to limit government employees’ children only to government schools is good. But most government schools are concentrated in rural areas. How many government employees actually work there? KVs and Navodayas have a solid structure and organisation and are aimed at providing quality education.”
Having worked with government schools in rural areas, she says the larger problem is the lack of accountability.
“It is really sad, but there is no accountability on the part of teachers as well as administrators. Crores of rupees have been pumped into the government schools to build toilets, but they still ask us if we can help,” she said.
Government officials, however, are non-committal. “It is a policy decision. We are giving money to the government schools, but the implementation is going wrong. We are working on it,” a senior education department official said.
