A school fenced with a wall might be necessary for safety and security of students and also mandatory under Right to Education (RTE) Act, but it has been found that 73.4 percent schools of Jharkhand fail to adhere to the law properly, despite two years having passed since it was implemented.
The ninth Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2013, released by Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia in New Delhi on January 15 reveals that in Jharkhand only 26.6 per cent schools have boundary wall and permanent fencing and only 35 per cent schools have playground.
The survey was facilitated by Pratham, an NGO, in Jharkhand. Its State head Kumar Katyayani said, "ASER 2013 in Jharkhand was conducted in 23 districts by volunteers from local district NGOs. During the survey it was found that in some districts none of the schools have boundary wall or fencing across the school while in some schools the condition of boundary wall is in a pathetic condition."
He further added that in 2012 only 21.6 per cent schools had boundary walls which increased to 26.6 per cent in 2013 but the increase in not at a desirable pace. On May 11, 2011 RTE Act was implemented in the State. Ironically, no concrete development in the state education system has been witnessed in past couple of years. UNICEF Jharkhand Chief Job Zachariah who has been working for the development of students in rural areas said, "lack of awareness among the community about the RTE Act is the major reason behind the drawback."
Explaining about the nine indicators of RTE Act he added, "Only drinking water facility within the schools is at satisfactory level. The remaining eight indicators which include toilet, boundary walls, playground, proper classrooms, library, teachers' appointment, office and store availability status are still in a sorry condition." He further added that fund supply is not a hurdle but the priority and focus of the officials is the major loophole for the same.