Here's how poll bound Punjab performs in primary education -Governance Now

Here's how poll bound Punjab performs in primary education

Majority of schools had leaking roofs, broken doors and windows and damped walls

GN Bureau | October 6, 2016

#Punjab #Right to Education #RTE #New Education Policy #Education

Picture for representational purpose only

Punjab, set for the assembly polls in 2017, presents a dismal picture of elementary education in its rural belt. A NITI Aayog sponsored study conducted by Guru Arjan Dev Institute of Development Studies highlights the following points:

Majority of rural schools were found without proper furniture for students. Only 6.96 percent schools had benches and 68.74 percent had desks for their children.

Many schools were without toilets, well-equipped, libraries, kitchen for mid-day meals, playgrounds.

15.82 percent schools had only two class rooms for running classes up to class 5.

Apparently, these schools manage with conducting combined classes or teach in open spaces even in extreme weather conditions.

83.32 percent school buildings were quite old and were in dilapidated conditions and needed immediate repairs and renovations.

Even the newly built schools were found in bad shape due to lack of annual maintenance funds/grants.

Majority of schools had leaking roofs, broken doors and windows and damped walls.

Some schools were found to be managed by a single teacher.

Some schools did not have funds for purchasing benches, blackboards, chairs, desks etc. and to pay even electricity bills. There is no annual maintenance grant for buildings.

Some of the schools did not want to run mid-day meal scheme due to non-availability/delay of funds, lack of utensils, non-availability/shortage of food grains, lack of cooking utensils, lack of drums, bins etc.

Only 2.95 percent and 2.79 percent schools had Science and Computer labs, respectively.

Academic performance was also shocking. Average marks obtained by students up to class 5 (primary level) was merely 31 percent. Nearly one-fourth of the students were not able to open up their score/ accounts, that is, got zero marks.

In upper primary classes (classes 6 to 8), none of the students got A, B or C Grades in the surprise test just before the final examinations. About 97 percent students received less than 35 percent marks.

See full report here

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