When we look at the HSC examination results this year, we again notice the same grim reality that we have been experiencing over last few years that while the unaided and private schools, including Saraswati Sisu Mandirs, are posting excellent performances, thus stealing the march, the old Government and aided schools are running a poor show.
Does it mean as long as teachers struggle for good salary they are prepared to shed sweat and become meticulous in their duty but when well-paid, they tend to grow lethargic and careless about the progress of their studentsIJ
The unaided and Block Grant schools are reeling under great hardship with no basic infrastructure, cash crunch and teachers without pay or paid less like contract workers. The teachers are never in peace of mind and keep devising various ways and means to extract their dues from the Government though strike. Modern study infrastructure is a far cry in these schools, yet they are performing better while the Government schools with all amenities, talented and regular teachers fail to make results to the desired level. WhyIJ Should we say that poverty sets the benchmark while affluence leads to perversion and in the same vein, the Government’s scheme to let the teacher’s community rot in near starving condition for expecting industry from them is justifiedIJ
The fact of the matter is there is a sore which can neither be shown nor be seen, yet it is only felt. But an attempt is made to sweep it under the carpet.
The cash-strapped Government is not interested to evolve a healthy and cover-all educational system in the State for it does not want to make a budget that is required to meet the purpose. That is why it is not recruiting teachers as per requirement and allowing most of the old schools to battle under staff shortage which hits the academic quality of the schools. Those whom it is recruiting in those schools lack motivation to work for being appointed under contractual mode.
Similarly, the Government has no concern for the Blok Grant school teachers. Despite their frequent agitation to get due salary, the Government has cast a deaf ear to their plight and weaving out bureaucratic hypocrisy to keep the starving teachers on a wild goose chase for suitable grant. Block Grant has been a root of all evils in these institutions but the Government does not want to abolish it and pay the teachers Grant-in-Aid (GIA). For under the system, the Government is able to spend very less to run thousands of schools.
Even as many teachers are on the verge of their retirement, the Government is doing little to implement GIA.
lack of motivation, frustration and disenchantment among the teachers has made them to shy away from giving their 100 per cent. When it comes to result, while the old schools are never bothered about who does what, the Block Grant Schools or unaided schools, for fear of withdrawal of recognition or grant or any administrative crackdown, hardly hesitate to resort to any means to ensure good results. In either case, quality is missing.
To wriggle out of the stalemate, the Government needs to hike budget on education, relieve teachers from extra-curricular works, recruit regular teachers in required number, stop Block Grant and implement GIA. After taking the course correction, it can crack whip on those who still do not work properly.