Education in doldrums in some government schools in Jorhat

From a Correspondent

JORHAT, June 11: Education across some government schools in the district Jorhat is in the doldrums. What can be more shocking than the fact that even today there are schools where the number of students passing the class X board examitions stands at only one and that too, in third division? Whereas, examples are in abundance to prove that children of the institutiol heads of such schools have secured rank positions by appearing from private schools in the just declared HSLC results.  

Notably, the Education department of the Assam Government is spending crores of rupees in the me of providing salary and strengthening the infrastructure of these schools. But even then the quality of the schools, enrollment and deliverance through academic excellence has gone down drastically. Top in the list are BDS (Bidyadhar Sarmah Memorial High School) situated at Ataliagaon in Jorhat town and Bamun Pukhuri Girls’ High School of Teok. Seven students appeared from BDS in the HSLC exam of 2016 but only one passed in the third division while the six others failed. Similarly, two appeared from the Bamunpukhuri School but only one passed and the other failed. However, a source from the BDS School has informed about the son of Suranja Kakati, Headmistress of BDS, having secured rank position in the HSLC exam, 2016 exam from Don Bosco, Jorhat.

Talking to The Sentinel, Planning Officer of the Jorhat Inspector of Schools Office, Hemen Das said, “We have on several occasions warned them to increase enrollment and ensure good results, if not the best, but these warnings fell on deaf ears. The general reply given is that nowadays most students opt for private schools. Mushrooming on private schools may be a factor but definitely cannot be the only reason. We have many bright students from weaker fincial background who cannot go to private schools. So why are they not taking admission here? It seems the interl atmosphere of the schools has deteriorated, forcing bright students to move out. Otherwise, I cannot see justification to their replies.”

A close and in-depth study has revealed that in BDS alone there are 12 regular teachers and the government pays Rs 5 lakh every month in the me of salary which amounts to Rs 48 lakh annually. Similarly Rs 28 lakh is paid annually to the staff of the Bamun Pukhuri Girls’ High School. Likewise, only 10 students appeared from Sarvoday High School Baghmora (Rs 27,79,112 lakh annual salary), seven from Sarbaibondha High School situated at J.B Road, Jorhat (Rs 27,81,282 lakh annual salary) and 11 from Motibari High School ( Rs 28,43,080 lakh annual salary).

The condition is no better in Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal’s home constituency in Majuli. Thirty-five students from three schools of the river island, mely Luitporia Jajati High School, Harighat Rangalibahar High school and Madhya Majuli Jajati High school appeared in this year’s class X board exams. Results were much below the average rating but still the government spends more than Rs 1 crore 4 lakh in the me of salary of only these three schools. The government spends Rs 40,71,700 lakh for Luitporia, Rs 32,59,680 lakh each for both Harighat and Madhya Majuli Jajati School.

The sensatiol disclosure has led many to appeal to the present Education Minister, Dr Himanta Bishwa Sharma to formulate strict policies and issue guidelines to retain quality education, as was earlier, before the boom of private institutions or to close down these failing schools and absorb the staff to teach in other result-oriented schools lacking teaching staffs.