State government will have to play a proactive role in full-day schooling
Hopefully, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s statement that all government and government-aided schools are free to hold full-day classes will generate a debate among stakeholders in the education sector.
More than two decades ago, then chief minister Manohar Parrikar made the suggestion, but it was received with a negative response from both parents and teachers. At the time, the infrastructure was poor, which was one of the main reasons the proposal was strongly opposed. Considering the needs of the children, the parents were not wrong then. But Parrikar was farsighted and had enough reasons for making the suggestion that would see children spend more hours in school. He had clarified that he was not for full-day schooling in the literal sense and that it was actually only one to two hours more. The little longer stay on the school campus was mainly for extracurricular activities. Parrikar was supported by the elite and many other forward-looking people, but the masses didn’t relent. The state was also not prepared for such a concept. Well, that was in a different era.
Educationists may welcome Sawant’s decision if the government has facilitated the creation of the infrastructure needed for longer hours of schooling. The Chief Minister’s statement that a few government-run schools have shown willingness to start full-day classes from the upcoming academic year is like a breath of fresh air. It also shows the transformation of government schools. They are coming of age! One could hardly imagine that a government school would agree to have a 9 am to 4 pm-kind of a timetable. Some government-aided or, for that matter, private schools agreeing to have a long school day may not be new. Some private schools have been functioning on the 9 am to 4 pm pattern for years and have been churning out street-smart children who are able to stand on their own two feet. The difference is that private schools have the infrastructure, which is paid for by the parents. This cannot be the norm in a government-run school or, many times, in a government-aided school. A proper canteen facility and a clean washroom are the main requirements for a full-day school, besides arrangements for extra-curricular facilities like sports, martial arts, computers, etc.
If the government thinks that this concept is forward-looking, then it should provide funds for infrastructure building and create facilities that will bring out students’ hidden talents. Something that will make children happy. Create an environment that will make a child love school. Not learning by rote, but a school where children can express themselves and learn something new to face the world. It’s good that a local IAS officer, Prasad Lolyekar, is the education secretary, as he has the capacity to understand the views of stakeholders and take the mission forward.
There will be supporters and opponents of the concept of full-day schools in the state. Some educationists will say that this concept may do well for children, possibly up to Std VII or VIII, while others will have a different viewpoint. With NEP coming in, education for classes IX upwards is set to change; it is not clear whether the students will have time to spend in school when they have to attend tuition. If the concept is introduced for smaller children, then for working parents, a crèche facility should also be kept in mind. This is necessary for parents who return home late from work and have no one to look after the children at home.
There should be a healthy debate and discussion on this issue so that the pros and cons are out in the open. Let’s have the parents and other stakeholders take the call.
Independent-minded institutions will also appreciate the government’s move to provide food through the Akshya Patra Foundation. It is a non-profit trust of the Bengaluru-based International Society for Krishna Consciousness, providing mid-day meals in the country. They have been providing nutritious meals in several parts of the country. In their philosophy, their concept is not only to eliminate classroom hunger but also to help children concentrate in class.