Karnataka - Mangalore   

NGO wants condition of schools run by ashrams to be improved

Staff Correspondent

`Authorities are not serious about educating poor children'

MANGALORE: Magu Madhura Kalike, a non-governmental organisation here, has urged the Chief Minister, N. Dharam Singh, to take immediate steps to improve the residential ashram schools in the State. Noting that these schools have been set up to cater for the educational requirements of students from the Dalit and backward communities, the NGO said these schools are in a bad shape.

In a letter to the Chief Minister, released to presspersons here on Thursday, the convener of the NGO, Hameed Manjeshwar, said the Government is trying its best to ensure that students from these communities receive the benefits of education.

The condition of these residential schools gives one the impression that the authorities are not serious about educating children from backward sections of society, he said.

Listing out a few of the problems at these schools, he said most teachers at these schools have been appointed on contract for short periods and are reappointed each year.

He said under these circumstances, it is not possible to expect the same kind of commitment from teachers. In addition, these schools do not have the required number of teachers, putting an additional burden on the existing teachers.

He said that even school principals are appointed on contract. In some cases, teachers appointed on contract are given addition responsibility and made in-charge principals.

The situation of students who pass the 10th standard examinations is pitiable, as they have run from pillar to post to obtain the certificates required to pursue higher education.

If a school does not have a principal, the students have to obtain the certificates from the Social Welfare Officers of the respective districts and this is not easy, Mr. Hameed said.

The situation in ashram schools is very bad, he said and added that such problems add to the increase in the number of school dropouts. He said that it is not enough to announce projects and urged the Chief Minister make sure that they are also implemented effectively. He also urged the Ministers concerned, Y. Nagappa and R. Ramalinga Reddy, to look into the situation.

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