Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Thiruvananthapuram
Visakhapatnam
No cosy job
V.R.
|
Teachers in some schools are actually spending from their own pocket to keep the scheme going.
|
HEADING A government school is not a cosy job anymore. Headmistresses and headmasters have to double as canvassers these days. At the start of every academic year, their main task is to identify potential donors and persuade them donate for the cause of the school, be it sprucing up the buildings or arranging for water supply. And now, Akshara Dasoha is an additional burden, grumble some teachers.
Although the Government has made provisions for setting up kitchens, water storage, and procuring vegetables, money has not been coming. Many school managements have been caught off-guard by the lacklustre implementation of the scheme. "Why should we go around with a begging bowl? Already we are urdened with many literacy schemes such as educating children rescued from factories and hotels. We also have to take regular classes. Besides, not all teachers are willing to work. When pressed, they use political influence," grumbled a headmistress. "But for the NGOs and our SDMC members, our school would have been in a pitiable plight," said another teacher.
At present, teachers are pooling their own funds to buy vegetables, sambar powder, and cooking gas. At the Government Primary School in Herohalli, the SDMC has been able to convince a donor to sponsor 350 plates and glasses. The local MLA, R.V. Devaraj, has played a key role in getting a philanthropist to donate 1,300 steel plates and glasses for government schools, including Fort School, in his constituency.
"But all these become distractions for good teachers. The quality of teaching will suffer. The Government has to pay some attention to this," said H.D. Vimalamba, Headmistress of the Government School at Agrahara Dasarahalli.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Thiruvananthapuram
Visakhapatnam
|
