Haryana: Tablets in hand, but no teacher in their classes

GURUGRAM: Some students of Classes 11 and 12 at the Government Model Sanskriti Senior Secondary School in Nuh’s Nagina block have tablets, recently distributed under a state scheme, but they haven’t had teachers to teach them physics and chemistry for the past two years.
Around 100 students in the school, who opted for the science stream, told TOI on Monday that they have learned almost nothing about the two subjects since.
The digital tablets, handed over to them this year as part of the e-Adhigham scheme, are also turning out to be futile, they said.
“What is the use of these tablets or the so-called Model Sanskriti Schools (meant to be affordable alternatives to English-medium schools in the state) if we don’t even have teachers. We somehow managed to clear Class 11 and were promoted because it was the pandemic year. But now we have to give board exams and will be competing with our counterparts in private schools that are already way ahead in the course completion. If we don’t get the teachers, all of us will fail in the exams. This is giving us sleepless nights,” said Mohammed Rashid, a Class 12 student who chose to study physics, chemistry and biology, and wants to pursue medical sciences.
Rashid was among the 100-odd students who got the digital tablet this year.
Fed up, 25 students last week reached out to the All India Parents Association (AIPA) to seek help.
Shortly after, AIPA wrote to chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar, requesting that the government steps in and appoints teachers soon.
“It is submitted that your said inaction in providing physics and chemistry teachers to their students is in utter violation of the fundamental right to education of the students as guaranteed to them under Article 21 of the Constitution. It is, therefore, requested that you may please look into this matter on an urgent basis…” the letter said.
AIPA president Ashok Agarwal also said on Monday that the association had raised the issue with the Punjab and Haryana high court in 2021. “At that time, the government’s counsel assured the court appropriate action would be taken in these matters, but unfortunately nothing has been done,” Agarwal said.
“This time, if the government fails to address the issue, we’ll pursue the matter to its logical end. The inaction in appointing teachers is contempt of court, and we’ll file a case accordingly to seek legal recourse,” he added.
The school’s principal too said he has been flagging the issue for the last two years. “The learning gap is only increasing for our students. Our school building has been renovated and new labs have been established, but the teachers have not been appointed,” said principal Giriraj Prashad.
When asked, state education minister Kanwar Pal said that over 1,000 new teachers were being appointed in the district. “Through our re-engagement policy, transfer policies and disbursement of additional Rs 10,000 for every teacher appointed in Nuh district, we will be shortly addressing the issue of teachers’ shortage in the region. The process is almost complete and teachers have been appointed to many schools where it was required. If there are few schools that are still left, they too will get teachers soon,” the minister said.