Quality education in Orissa still a dream

BHUBANESWAR, July 4: Quality education continues to elude a large section of local children because of the failure of the Orissa Government...

BHUBANESWAR, July 4: Quality education continues to elude a large section of local children because of the failure of the Orissa Government to regulate the functioning of private English medium schools or so-called public schools in the State.

What is even more surprising is that the Director, Schools and Mass Education, does not even have an updated record of the number of such schools operating in the State.

While the number of recognised schools listed under the Deputy Director, Special Education, is 135, sources maintain that the number probably touches a thousand. Bhubaneswar alone has 27 such schools. Apart from this, 34 primary schools have been granted recognition while another 94 have applied for one. The Directorate is yet to compile a complete list of applicants.These schools virtually operate at will without even the mandatory No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from State education authorities. As they are affiliated to private boards like the ICSE and the CBSE, and are run by private trusts or societies, they flout basic guidelines such as minimum space and infrastructure.

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While some schools open up to class seven and function at impunity without NOCs, others have not renewed their status. As per the guidelines, the NOC should be renewed every year. The Director, Schools and Mass Education, has called for a review of NOCs granted to 54 schools.

However, many public schools see no reason why they should obey state guidelines. They charge hefty fees which are hardly “commensurate with facilities provided” as the recent notification issued by the Education department specifies. Many schools operate out of rented buildings and do not have their own buildings.