Mounesh Vishwakarma

Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (EP)

Bantwal, Jun 17: Three government schools in Bantwal are on the verge of closure due to lack of students.

While junior primary school in Jakribettu was closed for lack of admissions, four children in Toranakatte junior primary school in Punacha village were admitted to nearby school. Kantika Junior primary school in Balthila too is facing shortage of students. The school has only four children at present. The schools which have prolonged with three or four children in the 2017-18 have class rooms, toilet, mid-day meals and items that are required for a school. However despite having all the good facilities, the schools are facing shortage of students.

Jakribettu School officially closed

Jakribettu junior primary school which continued by admission of five children during the year 2017-18 is temporarily shut down this year. “We had urged children who were preparing to go to other schools to remain here in anticipation of the admission of more children. We had also requested the parents. However no newcomers have come here so far. Therefore, the children who should have continued here this year have joined other private school,” said a teacher here.

Thoranakatte School

Six students were studying in Toranakatte junior primary school during last academic year. Though there was a proposal for its closure last year, children of nearby quarry workers who had migrated here, had joined the school.

“We were glad that we had nine children. However, some children left within a month. Out of the remaining six children, two children who passed fifth standard have gone to another school. Out of the remaining four, the younger brother of the student who left the school for sixth standard also went leaving three children. Among the remaining two boys and a girl, the girl was admitted in another school as she was the only girl. Finally only two boys remained. As it was difficult for only the two of them to study here, they were admitted to Moodambail School. As Thoranakatte School has no children, the department of education has prepared to transfer the teacher from here to nearby school,”said a source. .

Kantika School

Kantika school in Balthila grama panchayat limits also is facing shortage of children. Two children are studying in fourth standard and one child is studying in fifth standard here. As there were no admissions this year, this has worried the teachers here. Nearby residents do not show interest to admit their children here. Therefore, the possibility of closing this school in the near future cannot be ruled out.

All schools which are facing closure in the taluk have the history of fifty years. However, the increasing love of English among parents, lack of initiative by the grama panchayats and supporters of government schools are the reason for the closure of these schools. The lapses from the part of government make the education department suffer too.

While three schools in Bantwal are on the verge of closure, eight private schools elsewhere have applied for license. There are also requests to the government seeking permission to open six private high schools and three pre-primary schools. It is true that the policies of the government are giving sleepless nights to government school teachers, children and parents.

Shivaparakash, education officer, Bantwal said that the number of children who have joined government schools this year is more when compared to last year's figures. “However, government schools in certain places face closures due to lack of children. Jakribettu School is temporarily closed. Groups and associations and old students should join hands with the department to revive government schools.”