A survey report on 81 randomly selected primary and upper primary schools (middle schools) in north Bihar says government schools are in danger of being “replaced by cheap and dingy tuition centers” and “urgent action is required to address this crisis”. The report was released on Friday by a non-governmental organisation, Jan Jagran Shakti Sangathan (JJSS) and guided by noted economist Jean Dreze.
The survey was conducted across 11 blocks of two districts of Araria and Katihar of north Bihar in 81 randomly selected government schools (40 primary and 41 upper primary schools) with at least 50% enrolment of students from socially and disadvantaged groups (Scheduled Tribe, Scheduled Caste, Other Backward Class and Muslims). “The survey reveals a serious failure to ensure even minimum norms of schooling in north Bihar. Inadequate resources, ineffective policies and indifferent action are the issues these schools face and which can be seen as a reflection of their interdependent failures. The COVID-19 pandemic not only exacerbated these issues but also added new ones”, said the 32-page report.
“Given the sorry state of government schools, many students rely on private tuitions. Though small and Spartan in infrastructure, private tuitions are very popular and have started acting as a replacement to a failing schooling system in rural north Bihar. A nexus has been formed between dysfunctional government schools and private tuitions, where the role of the school has been reduced to merely providing a midday meal and arranging examinations”, said the report. “Education is important for all and everything depends on quality education. It is sad that government school students go to private tuition at the time of school”, said Mr. Jean Dreze.
