The Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (OSCPCR) has suggested the State Government for a “serious introspection” as to why parents are unwilling to send their children to Government-run schools when the Government is providing free textbooks, uniforms, admission fees, midday meal, cycles and scholarships.
Taking up a petition filed by one Ghasiram Panda and also a suo moto cognisance over the State Government’s decision to close down 165 Primary and Upper Primary Schools citing low attendance, OSCPCR Chairperson Kasturi Mohapatra on Friday wrote a letter to the School and Mass Education Secretary suggesting several points for consideration before going in for closure of the schools.
The observation the chairperson came after the commission received a compliance report from the OPEPA State Project Director regarding closure of these schools, where an overall student enrolment is found to be less than five.
Taking into consideration the entire gamut of the facts stated in the compliance report filed by the OPEPA State Project Director, the commission observed, “Serious introspection should be conducted as to why the parents are unwilling to send their children to Government schools when the State Government is providing free text books, uniforms, no admission fees free midday meals, cycles and scholarships, etc., to attract and retain students in primary schools.
The quality of Government schools should improve and adhere to the RTE norms.”
The chairperson also suggested some points to the Government like to conduct an independent assessment of each school on impact of closure of schools, distance factor instead of number criteria, discussions with local civil societies, PRI members, villagers before taking a decision to shut down the schools.