The Hindu : Kerala News : Civic chiefs elated over proposal to hand over school education to local bodies

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Wednesday, Jun 20, 2007
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Kerala

Civic chiefs elated over proposal to hand over school education to local bodies

Staff Reporter

Eleventh Plan gives local bodies key role in the administration of schools

LSGIs will implement only Government policies
Schemes to improve academic backwardness

Kozhikode: Civic chiefs in the district are elated over the prospect of the local bodies getting more powers in the management of Government and aided schools within their respective regions.

As of now the local bodies are entrusted only with the task of improving and maintaining infrastructure facilities in educational institutions.

But the fresh proposal of the Department of Local Self-Government envisaged under the Eleventh Plan gives Local Self-Government Institutions (LSGIs) a key role in the administration of schools.

“Certainly the management of the schools will undergo a sea change. The new proposal will enhance the teaching methods adopted in Government schools,” M. Bhaskaran, Mayor told The Hindu here on Tuesday.

Nearly 150 educational institutions, including lower primary, upper primary and high schools, are now being looked after by the corporation. “We have been aiding these schools in setting up laboratories and constructing buildings. But the management of the schools are vested with the officials of the Department of Education. All decisions are taken by them,” he said.

Once the proposal takes off, Mr. Bhaskaran said the local bodies would implement the policies of the Government. However, powers such as transfer and appointment of staff should remain with the Government itself, he said.

Still, many of the local body chiefs wanted the Government to provide the machinery to implement the new proposals.

“No doubt it is an additional burden. We are already reeling under pressure due to shortage of staff. Local bodies have been given plenty of responsibilities. The new decentralisation policy can be implemented in the right spirit and be made successful only if the Government provide adequate staff,” said T.P. Chandran, chairman, Vadakara Municipality.

Vadakara municipality, one of the two municipalities in the district, has around 50 Government and aided schools.

“It is a big challenge for us. But the scope of improvement of these schools is immense,” he said.

Koyilandy Municipal chairman K. Dasan said the existing powers given to the local bodies were confined to maintaining the infrastructure. At present, the District Education Officer and higher officials were monitoring the functioning of schools.

And they have their own limitations.

“As per the new proposal, local bodies can effectively monitor the utilisation of funds as well ensure the mid-day meal scheme,” he said.

As many as 23 Government and aided schools, including four high schools, were serviced by the municipality.

Last year the local body was also given charge of the residential Fisheries Technical High School.

By handing over the management of the schools to the local bodies, Mr. Dasan said that councillors in association with teachers and parents could draw up schemes to improve the academic backwardness of students.

Financial aid could be given to students belonging to the economically weaker community. A large number of students, mostly from the coastal regions, needed support from the local bodies, he said.

The new proposals rattled the teaching community. Some organisations of teachers decried the decision of the Government to go ahead with the proposal. But the Panchayati Raj Act clearly stated that local bodies should be given powers to manage schools in their areas for their effective functioning, Mr. Dasan said.

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