Even after six years of implementation of the Right to Education (RTE) Act, only four per cent of the schools in Odisha meet RTE norms which is a matter of serious concern, said Odisha RTE Forum convenor Anil Pradhan inaugurating a “Roundtable on Implementation of RTE and Quality Education in Odisha” here on Tuesday.
Pradhan expressed concern over the mediocre quality of education in the State. It is because of poor quality education and the failure of RTE Act to ensure basic infrastructural facilities and qualified trained teachers that students refrain from going to school, and now due to shortage of students schools are also being closed down in rural areas.
Former Finance Minister Panchanan Kanungo said good committed teachers, good infrastructural facilities, good quality midday meal must be ensured in every school. A sincere, committed and motivated teacher can definitely bring positive changes in the schooling system.
Care India programme manager Gazala Saheen said in every educational institution children must be treated equally irrespective of their castes, class, status and present situation. No teachers shall go for verbal abuse that severely affects student performance in the school.
ActionAid programme manager Suddata Khuntia said private schools have mushroomed in the education system of India with 20 per cent increase in last five years whereas the growing negligence towards the Government schools has resulted in only a six-per cent increase in last five years, thereby jeopardising the school education system.
Among others, Oxfam India lead specialist Prasant Ku Pradhan, AUPTF general secretary Kanhu Charan Mohanty , Child Fund India zonal coordinator Sandeep Dutta, Oxfam India regional manager Akshya Kumar Biswal , CYSD representative Basant Nayak and laxmi Narayan Nanda from Unicef also spoke on the occasion.