I have been informed that most girls in class 7 or 8 are engaged by their families because of their culture, says KK Nirala
Uncertainty of education after class 8 at Shela primary school drew the attention of an IAS officer on day 1 of Praveshotsav, that aims to enroll students in class I and toddlers in Anganwadis. While the school stands tall in terms of infrastructure, a number of teachers, quality of education and is backed by 'A' grade during Gunotsav for the past five years, it does have some core challenges in terms of socio-economic issues.
The thin gathering at the school on Thursday morning was kept low-key due to a sudden death of a youth right across the road. As the programme began, students welcomed IAS KK Nirala, Director, Technical Education along with the Sarpanch of the village with a prayer dance followed by the officer doing a stock-taking of enrollment in the school.
Commenting on his observation, Nirala told DNA that he is happy with the schools functioning. He said, "I have been informed that most girls in class 7 or 8 are engaged by their families because of their culture. And due to this, parents do not wish their daughters to study further. Another major concern is that the high school nearby has fewer seats and due to which, parents, if denied admission there, do not send their children to far away schools. I will take up the issue with the minister and try to bring a solution to this.
For the other issue, I have asked teachers to initiate door-to-door counselling, explaining the parents of Thakor community and Muslim community and change mindset for the betterment of girls."
"No matter how educated you are, nothing is important than our Indian culture. Many educated people get into wrongdoings, but education should not be blamed. It is the thought process and culture," he said.
State education minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama said, "We are concerned for drop out rate in school and hence have urged teachers across the state to be a part of the socio-economic problems of the parents. They have been asked to do a door-to-door counselling with parents. Regarding Shela primary school, if the issue if of class IX admissions, we will look into the matter and are positive about it."
Sharing her plight, Neelam Goswami, Principal, Shela primary school said, "My team ensures that no child is given LC by the school. A child only leaves this school if he or she shifts to another school. We do not have drop-outs. We visit 300 houses every year urging parents to send their kids to school. However, after class VIII, students go to Telav high school for admission in class 9 but are often turned down as seats are full. They run an entire school so they admit their kids first, then their priority is a nearby school in Gibpura. Hence our kids often do not get admission. There is another high school in Bopal but parents do not wish to send kids there. So either our children take LC in class 7 to get admission in class 9 or they do not study further. If the government allows us permission to run class 9, it would be of great help."
On Thursday, a total of 33 children of 53 identified were enrolled in class 1. "Since Ramzan is going on, other kids did not come. We can admit them till August", she added.
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