3

Through poorly attended new schools?

On 1July 1999, 103 new schools were opened in Indore in the community halls constructed under the ODA project. That is to say the District administration wrote in chalk on their doors “Government Primary School: Admissions Open” and posted 3 teachers in each of them.

It is noteworthy that the government is committed to handing over these halls to community-based organizations for activities like balwadis, adult literacy, non-formal education, thrift and credit, health outreach, meetings, etc. If it does not wish to facilitate these activities beyond the ODA project (having already won international acclaim for its concern for the poor), the least the government can do is to leave the community halls alone so that people themselves can do something for these much needed activities.

Also, while the District Planning Committees have been given the right to set up new schools, they are obliged to set up only full-fledged schools. In this context, it may be mentioned that a letter to the Union Education Secretary inquiring about guidelines for school buildings returned the following response (dated 12/8/99): “While launching the scheme of Operation Blackboard in 1997-98 this Ministry has suggested ... the following minimum level of infrastructural facilities… provision of at least two reasonable large rooms that are usable in all weather with deep verandah along with separate toilet facilities for boys and girls...” . ODA community halls are unlikely to meet these minimum standards, especially since, in the absence of maintenance, many have become run-down (Dainik Bhaskar, 22 July) and some have been taken over by anti-social elements (Indore Samachar, 12 July) (Box-2).

There is also the matter of insufficient resources since the District Planning Committees are not permitted to use state funds. Lacking even bare necessities like furniture, blackboards, chalk, registers, etc, these schools are already being referred to as “gumti schools” (Box-3). The collector has made a laudable effort for mobilizing resources from private trusts, Red Cross society, etc (media reports, July 6 and July 22). But the fruits of these efforts certainly do not seem to have benefited the current academic session. Also what is not clear is why the same effort could not have been directed to improve existing schools or whether it will be sustainable year after year.

The District Planning Committee may set up new schools where these are needed. But a survey of the 103 new schools reveals that 14 have not started, in 6 there are no students and in 15 there are less than 20 students. Three months after the session started, officials were still trying to enroll students! The confusion about how these new schools will help “rationalization” is confounded by cases (like Malviya Nagar, CP Shekhar Nagar, Kallali Mohalla, etc) where new “community hall schools” are being set up even as proximous existing schools are being closed! Or by cases like Kulkarni Ka Bhatta which has a new school with 3 teachers in the run-down community hall (used for playing cards) right next to a government school with a brand new 11-room building and 235 students – from which 3 of the 5 teachers have been transferred!

Meanwhile, it must be recalled that the whole exercise of starting new schools was premised on the assumption that the current teacher-student ratio of 1:25 is sub-optimal and needs to be improved to 1:45. With three teachers posted to each new school, this means that there should be 135 students to reach the desirable teacher-student ratio or, at least 75 students to match the present sub-optimal ratio. It is extremely unlikely that these 103 “gumti” schools will be able to, firstly, attract and, secondly, accommodate 135 (or even 75) students! So much for rationalizing staffing by opening new schools!

Box-2: ODA Community Hall – Suitable for schools?

The community halls were meant to house various community development activities under the ODA project. In places these are continuing after the project got over. In Maharana Pratap Nagar, for instance, balwadi, vocational trainining for women and adult literacy classes are held in different shifts in the community hall. In Machi Bazaar the community hall is used for teaching urdu to children daily from 2 to 4 PM. Elsewhere, duly registered Youth Clubs and Mahila Mandals use the community halls for their activities. Now a primary school has been added to the functions of these community halls.

Other community halls are not amenable to functioning as schools on account of their run-down condition. Roofs leak and there is seepage in the walls. Window panes are broken, as is the wire mesh in the compound fencing. At times the building abuts a stinking nala. At times it is surrounded by garbage and the overflow from the choked underground drainage. At times it is home to stray dogs. At times there are safety hazards, such as when IMC’s boring connection passes through the buildings and the wires just lie exposed on the floor or when electrical junction boxes have long lost their covers.

Box-3: ODA Community hall schools – Schools without bare necessities?

In Sarvaharanagar, according to the lady chowkidar at the Community Hall, the teacher does come here but has no place to sit (nor any students to teach). In Mahavarnagar, the Community Hall School has some students. A balwadi also runs in the building in the mornings. The balwadi has a table, 2 broken chairs and 2 frayed mats. The school has no facilities beyond these. The teachers, who were transferred from a middle school, had to themselves purchase even the register to mark their attendance!