Govt schools to have pre-nursery classes

It is understood that the new arrangement is likely to result in increased enrolment of students. “Usually,people enroll their wards in private schools that offer pre-nursery classes and prefer to continue their education there. But with the introduction of pre-nursery classes,we can groom a child and motivate its parents to continue studies in government schools only,” said an official of the education department.

The Right to Education Act,too,underlines that it is the responsibility of the state government to take care of children at pre-school level.

“Since a majority of students in government schools are from economically weaker sections of the society,the idea (of introducing pre-nursery classes) is to create a level-playing field for them and prepare them for formal academic studies,” said Principal Secretary,School Education,C Raul.

According to a communiqué issued by the education department to directors of elementary and secondary education,district education officers and all circle education officers,the pre-nursery classes will be,however,initially introduced only in those schools where adequate teachers and classrooms are available.

“We have a number of schools where there are more teachers and less students. To begin with,the pre-nursery classes will be introduced in all such schools,” said Raul.

A senior official in the department,meanwhile,said a similar exercise was carried out in academic session 2003-04,but had met with a resistance from aanganwadi workers who said it overlapped with their job profile. The official said 1,700 schools,100 each from 17 districts,had been chosen for the purpose.

Raul,however,claimed: “It is only after considering all pros and cons that the government has this time decided to introduce pre-nursery classes.”

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