Centre asks states to identify dists for school consolidation pilot

Bengaluru: The Union ministry of school education and literacy, which plans to pilot a project on the consolidation of smaller schools, has written to states to identify one district each for the purpose. In a letter, the ministry stated that consolidation of schools is necessary to achieve the mandated gross enrolment ratio (GER) of 100% from preschool to secondary levels by 2030.In many states, schools are divided into several categories like primary (1-5), upper primary (1-8), secondary (1-10; 6-10; and 9-10), and higher secondary (1-12; 6-12, 9-12; and 11-12). With this, at least 89% of students end up changing schools at least three times. Not only is this cumbersome but also results in dropouts, noted the ministry. The retention rate could be as high as 100% in schools with classes 1-12, as against 44% in those with fewer grades, it noted.Citing countries like the US and China where they use a consolidated model, the letter pointed out that it leads to better utilization of resources and thus better teaching and learning environment. At least 19 states have more than 10 categories of schools. States with a higher concentration of small schools face greater infrastructure deficits, inadequate instructional materials, fewer teachers and higher dropout rates. It also took note of the decreasing fertility rates and population growth resulting in smaller class strengths.The ministry has now asked states to conduct a mapping exercise to identify one district each by July 15. Thus, the pilot will be held across 36 districts of the country. A larger school complex within the periphery of smaller ones will be identified. This will ensure that students of all schools will get access to additional classrooms, labs and other infrastructure.Consolidation of schools has always been a touchy subject in Karnataka as it is associated with school shutdowns. Attempts in the past have met with stiff resistance even while educationists stressed the advantages of school merging.The Centre has also explained a step-by-step process for implementing the project. After a comprehensive study of the local situation, potential schools must be identified and community consultations held. The impact of the merger has to be studied.AS Seetharamu, a former faculty member at Institute of Social and Economic Change (ISEC), said mergers are important to ensure holistic education. “Schools are not just a place of instruction and knowledge. It is a place for enjoyment, excitement, education, learning, social life, emotional development and holistic growth. All these will be possible only at a school complex that follows all norms like adequate infrastructure and has qualified teachers as per the prescribed pupil-teacher ratio among others. It is not economically viable to run smaller schools,” he said.
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