Taking a u-turn, Punjab Government went back on two of its major decisions to close down 690 schools having less number of students, and abolish free education for girl students.
Issuing a rejoinder of sorts, Education Minister Sikander Singh Maluka on Monday indirectly made attempts to throw the burden of the decision on senior Government functionaries by saying that only statement issued by him and the Secretaries should be traded as official.
Visibly unhappy with the development, Maluka stated, “We have issued strict directions that no officer, except Secretary School Education and Secretary Higher Education, has been entitled to make any statement on policy decisions or give press statements regarding different decisions taken by the Education Department.”
The decisions were made public at the officer-level. Sources revealed that the responsible officials might also face the music.
It may be recalled that the website of the Director General School Education (DGSE) displayed the list of 690 schools, where the number of students are less and are where two primary schools are situated in one village, and was to be shut down.
Maluka, in a clarification, said that these schools are not be closed, and in-principle decision has been taken to merge all those schools having less than 20 students with the nearest schools.
“We have found out that it's not 690, but there are 200 such schools which will only be closed or merged after discussion with the officials, then the MlA concerned, and then the Panchayats would be persuaded to proceed with the action,” said Maluka.
He added that the education department “will also provide transport facility to the students in case the schools near to their place would be closed”.
Clarifying on the issue of charging fee from girl students, Maluka said, “A decision was taken at the Chief Minister’s level that the fees would be charged from the girl students who are able to pay. Even as it was not decided from whom the fees would be charged, the DGSE issued the orders to charge fees from all girl students.
“I admit that decision in this regard should not be taken in hurry. Our aim is not to stop children from studying who cannot afford it. All girl students would not have to pay fees, and it would be decided by the school principals as in who can pay the fees, and who cannot,” said Maluka, adding that 30 per cent students in rural area, and 20 per cent in urban area would be charged fees on the basis of their financial status.
Private schools’ fee to be rationalised
Tightening noose around private schools across Punjab charging exhorbitant fees, Punjab Government has decided to regularize its fee structure. “Charging exorbitant fee came to the notice of department and it was decided to streamline the fee structure of private schools by issuing guidelines in this regard,” said Maluka.
Surprise checking on distribution of scholarships
Issuing a word of warning, Maluka stated that no laxity in distribution of scholarships would be tolerated and special departmental teams would conduct surprise checking in this regard. He, in fact, directed to ensure implementation of post matric scholarship scheme in letter and spirit for all students belonging to Scheduled Castes family having less than Rs2 lakh annual income. Maluka added that all schools and colleges have been directed to ensure proper distribution of these scholarships that too in a stipulated time frame.
Summer vacations from June 10
One-month summer vacations for the current session would start from June 10, instead of June 1. “The decision regarding winter vacations would be taken according to the weather conditions,” said Maluka.
Report on dilapidated school buildings
On the issue of deteriorating conditions of some school buildings, Maluka said that field officers have already been directed to submit a detailed report after identifying such buildings at the earliest. He said that the state government was committed to construct new buildings equipped with all modern facilities wherever the need was felt.