Maharashtra wants changes in new education policy to encourage parents’ participation -Governance Now

Maharashtra wants changes in new education policy to encourage parents’ participation

State report asks for increase school hours and examinations in all schools

Geetanjali Minhas | November 16, 2015

Maharashtra government has recommended examinations in all schools as students tend to ignore studies, encourage parents’ participation and increase in schools work to eight hours.

In its report on the draft of national new education policy Maharashtra stated that 'no exams' is nothing but a misconception spread among parents. The no-detention policy, a key component of the RTE Act, was enforced on April 1, 2010 with an aim to ensure that every child between the age of 6 and 14 studies in school.

The report has advocated the need to engage parents as partners in education.

"Parent Teacher Associations are to be strengthened. 'Class-wise parents' meeting should be held, house visits by the teachers should be made necessary, using Social Media like WhatsApp, MSS, SMS, by parents for students performance, reports cards of the students are to be discussed with the parents, 'Open House' concepts is to be implemented, schools must get involved in the social Festivals actively and 'Public Reading' (Chawadi Wachan) is to be done to uplift the image of the school and the Students," it states.

To encourage parents participation in sending children to schools, the school authorities should felicitate them who send their child to school regularly.

The 44-page report also says that “school systems should revamp their administrative/infrastructure hurdles to comply with this norm. The tagline should read: 100% students in schools learning for 8 hours a day." Currently most city schools work in two six-hour shifts.

The report points to the lack of coordination in supplementary nutritive food scheme at the anganwadi level and mid-day meal scheme at the school level adding, that though both schemes are very useful in schools, there is lack of coordination. Suggesting greater emphasis on the healthcare of children aged 0-3 years the report called for vaccinations and supplementary food be provided to avoid malnutrition.

The state has also suggested that schools start the public private partnership (PPP) model indicating funds from corporate companies through community social responsibility (CSR) be used for school infrastructure and teachers' salaries.

The state government had organised a debate in 32,000 villages and invited suggestions from education experts, principals, teachers associations and parents associations.

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