My neighbors have been extremely worried since the last few months – the reason being their four-year-old daughter’s education. The major tussle was regarding the selection of a private school over a government one. “We just couldn’t risk a government school for our daughter,” is what they have to say. Unfortunately, they are not the only ones who have to go through this turmoil of parenting (deciding on the right school).
Even worse, this problem is not a recent development in the Indian education scenario in spite of the fact that the present government spend per child per month is more than the fees in 80% of the private schools. But still, the government schools in rural India are a pitiable sight. The scenario certainly differs a lot in the semi-urban and urban areas in terms of proper infrastructure, but the peril right now is that as much as 80% of the funds allotted to government schools is spent only on infrastructure and teacher’s pay and not on enriching the way education is imparted. Using it as an advantage, the private schools have managed to gain popularity among the parents.
Cut to the metros and there is a sea change in the way parents look at the type of schooling they want for their children. Most, if not all, believe that they should rather spend more and send their children to the nearest DPS (Delhi Public School)or an Oakridge International School instead of a government-run school. As one of the parents( a couple in my colony) points out, “I want my son to get educated in the new westernised method where there is much more than mere classes of English, History and Maths. Public schools have classes like mental maths, playing with ceramics, fashion and textile, and teachers are readily available for counselling to help build up the personality of a child.” In fact, these parents believe that the teachers in such schools are helpful and are willing to extend help even beyond class hours. But this is possible only for those who can afford such form of education. Thus, the question remains: What about the major part of the population that still can’t afford to send their children to these "plush" private schools?
But the reason is more deeply rooted. The lag is in the accountability. For example, autonomous bodies like Kendriya Vidyalayas, which also are aided by the government, perform really well in managerial level, financial accountability, output from students and parents satisfaction. And the reason is that they are answerable to their authorities as well as to the parents. Thus, the only way in which the educational quality of the government-run schools can be improved is by setting benchmarks in terms of output.
