The dream of a better India can be realised only if our children are rightfully educated, and if young minds are shown the right direction. But in Poonch of Jammu district, the primary education scenario is rather bleak
The 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002, makes education a Fundamental Right for children in the age group of six to 14 years by stating that “the State shall provide free and compulsory education to all children between the age of six and 14 years in such manner as the State may, by law, determine.” The Act further provides under Article 51A(K) that it shall be a fundamental duty of every citizen of India who is a parent or guardian to provide opportunities for education to his child between the age of six and 14 years.
But in India today, four per cent of our children never start school, 58 per cent don’t complete primary school and 90 per cent don’t complete school. On a global map, India has the third highest rate of teacher absenteeism, costing almost two billion dollars per year. Despite the high rate of school enrollments, India has the largest number of illiterate adults compared to any other country.
When urban India is battling its weak areas in the educational system, rural India has not seen the clear light of day for one of its Fundamental Right to Education, although the Government has taken necessary steps and initiatives to enforce cost free education. It has also made certain laws so that each child is educated in the country. But the scenario in many villages and the border areas is grim and alarming.
Jammu & Kashmir holds a small hamlet to its east, Poonch, often called the ‘City of Saints’. It has seen the rise and fall of many dynasties and, in recent context, has a highly active line of Control. Poonch sector, which falls under Jammu district, has not seen much progress. There are many schemes announced by the Government but Poonch often receives a step-motherly treatment in many areas of development, one of the key concerns being education.
The literacy rate of Poonch district, as per Census 2011, is 66.7 per cent while in 2001 it was 51.19 per cent. The male literacy in Poonch is 78.84 per cent (Census 2011) in comparison to 65.04 per cent in 2001. The female literacy in Census 2011 in Poonch is 53.19 while in Census 2001 it was 35.96 per cent. The statistics for women, especially belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes community are not satisfactory. The lowest literacy rate is for educational zone Mandi, which has only 17 per cent ST population. The female literacy rate of Mandi educational zone is lowest at 14.09 per cent.
“I hold the authority here; I close down the school by 12 pm…” Niam Ahmed, principal of Girls Middle School, blurted out in an authoritative manner, when being asked about the timing of the schools which actually should be open till 2pm.
However, Darshan Bharti, a senior journalist from Poonch, reasons out that the imbalance between the student-teacher ratio is one of the prime causes for the early closure of the schools. “There are about 60 to 80 students in each class with just one teacher and the rooms can barely accommodate these students, so the school finds it easy to shut down.”
The poor attendance of the teachers in these Government schools has come as a biggest disadvantage for the students. Apart from the untimely salaries that the teachers hardly receive there are murkier and astounding truths which normally are left untold. Most of the appointments are fixed and lobbying has put a risk to the future of the students.
Poonch sector holds around 130 such influential appointments. This results in disinterested teachers who have just been drawing salaries. To this issue, the Chief Educational Officer Abdul Hamid Fani responds, “Several complaints have been received against teachers who have not been attending schools, they have been under our strict observation.”
The mid-day meals have a different story. Teachers helplessly say that the meal comprises of only rice and they themselves have been contributing for other items to make it a full meal.
The fact remains that students are facing a direct brunt due to the sad state of affairs in these schools. On the national level many of India’s teachers lack the training to be able to teach well. In 2012, 99 per cent of prospective teachers studying for a Bachelor of Education in India failed the Central Teacher Eligibility Test for competency.
Education facilitates socio-economic change and it is a tool to empower the youth so that they can be self-reliant and lead a quality life. The dream of a better India can be realised only if our children are rightfully educated, and if young minds are shown the right direction. Sadly, while one of our Fundamental Rights are webbed in the hands of nepotism and corruption, our children are unaware of what the future holds for them.