Implementation of RTE marginal

Mohammed Younus 

Academicians and educationists are crying foul over State government’s move to close down nearly 500 primary and secondary schools in the State as part of rationalisation.

Educationists advocated for the strengthening of government schools in terms of infrastructure and academics instead of closing them down in the name of rationalisation

Educationists have blamed the education department for the declining strength of students in public-funded schools across the State over a period of time. They advocated for the strengthening of government schools in terms of infrastructure and academics instead of closing them down in the name of rationalisation. Member of the All India Save Education Committee M Madhu said that State government has not been focusing on the implementation of Right to Education act despite several representations and agitations by the social groups.

He said, “RTE implementation was very bleak in both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana from the year of its inception. Shockingly, the TS government has also put its poll promise of strengthening the government schools in State.” He sought to know as to why the student strength was more in the places/villages where the government schools have been planned to close down as part of the rationalisation.

Save education committee members have also alleged that in the name of cluster schools several schools were shut down in the past and rationalisation was extension of that policy. Another academician working to save the government schools Sattar Khan said that Telangana government was encouraging private parties in education sector and denouncing the government schools existence. He said that government has promised to implement the KG to PG free education before election and after one year in power nothing has been done instead it was resorting to de list the existing schools.

On the other hand education activists have also raised questions over the process of transfers made during the rationalisation and alleged large scale irregularities and corruption in transfers of teachers in the process. Noted educationist and Journalism scholar P L Vishweshwar Rao said that transfers were not made as per the procedure and there were lot of irregularities.

He alleged that officials responsible for transfer of teachers have collected lakhs of rupees to transfer the teachers in their demanded places. He said, “A district education officer in Warangal was already suspended on charges of irregularities while several others are also involved in such acts. Action must be taken against such officials.”