Privatisation and communalisation of education is an ugly trend masking sway these days. But this is against our cherished constitutional values and morality. Respecting the rich diversity and composite culture of India, the makers of modern India were against building a theocratic country. India is homeland of four major religions, Buddhism, Jainism, Hinduism and Sikhism.
Though legally it is not permissible to teach religious education to minors in schools but many of our private primary schools have been engaged in selectively promoting religious education and related practices in their institutions.
It is observed that the State itself has been promoting both privatisation and communalisation of education through its direct patronage such as free land and financial grants.
Along with the Government approved syllabus, many of the private schools have their own designed extra curriculum activities that promote a particular religion and theocratic ideas; rather it is good to allow our children to read about as many religions as possible enabling them to choose one from them. It is also equally good to make space for atheists or non-believers and respect dissents and differences.
There are also many ST communities which have their own unique faith and that must be recognized officially without any cultural suppression, dominance or discrimination.
Recently, the Jharkhand Government passed a resolution in the State Assembly demanding equal space to Sarana in the Census religion column. Now the failth and belief system of the STs are officially recognized there.
As 2011 census says 94 per cent of the Odisha population belongs to the Hindu religion. It is alleged that private bodies running factory residential schools for ST children have been encouraging practices of dominant religion while showing STs as inferior, which develops an inferiority complex among the ST students with regard to their native faith and belief system and practices.
The children must not be groomed to follow any particular kind of discourses and practices of any cult. In Odisha there are a number of such schools christened in varieties of names and styles promoting one religion or the other.
Since education is a State subject, it the duty of the State Government to take up the issues of primary education seriously without leaving it into the hands of the communal and casteist divisive forces or private parties engaged in business of education. If the trend of communalisation and privatisation continues, it will further disintegrate our socio-political life as a nation and encourage violence and separatist ideas among the young minds.
Odisha has been formed by including diverse identities of caste, religion, faith , belief system, culture and language and so, imposition of any particular faith on the marginalized sections is against the very spirit of democracy.
It is the commitment of the Constitution to reduce inequality and create equal opportunities while abolishing socio-economic discriminations in any form.
Article 51A says to follow the noble ideas which inspired our national struggle for freedom from colonial and feudal bondages and to uphold the unity of the country by promoting harmony and brotherhood. It is also told to develop scientific temper, humanism, spirit of inquiry and reform. The Right to Education (RTE Act 2009) has enforced education as a fundamental right.
So, the State Government must stop both privatisation and communalisation of education as a constitutional mandate for building a secular society.
Education is an important tool of social transformation and primary education is the foundation of our future citizens. It is only through education we can change inequalities and gaps and build an egalitarian society.
Quality primary education must be available to all children at their doorstep as universal, compulsory and free of cost. Schools must be free from all kinds of narrow concerns that are detrimental to the dignity of children and their identity.
(manasbbsr15@gmail.co)