Dilawar flags poor enrolment, lapses in Sriganganagar govt schools

Jaipur: Education minister Madan Dilawar Wednesday flagged low enrolment, absenteeism and basic academic gaps during surprise inspections of govt schools in Sriganganagar district.

At a govt school in 3HH village, he found only 32 students enrolled despite six teachers being posted. School principal Girija Shankar was absent without prior approval, while two other teachers were also on leave without intimation, prompting the minister to direct action.

Testing learning levels, Dilawar asked a Class 8 student, “What do you get if you add 2 to 49?” The student replied, “60.” The minister reprimanded the staff, saying, “If a student cannot even perform simple addition, how is any learning taking place in this school?”

Teachers informed him the village population was around 700. Questioning the low enrolment, he said, “Why are there only 32 children in the school in a village with a population of 700? With six teachers for just 32 students, the results should have been 100% here.” In Class 7, only three students were present.

Dilawar also asked chief district education officer Arvinder Singh if he conducted regular inspections.

At 1 DBND School in Bhagwangarh, upgraded to senior secondary in 2021, the entrance board still read ‘secondary school’. The minister found no water supply in restrooms, while signage outside boys’ and girls’ toilets was swapped. He directed officials to fix the issues immediately.

Teachers said they did not expect the minister to visit such a small school.