That the education system is corrupt is no secret. The schools charge exorbitant fees, but have very little accountability and transparency in their operations.
Parents are reluctant to take on the managements for fear of their children being targeted and BEOs are known to turn a blind eye to malpractices for a price. And so the children suffer.
Official records say that not a single English medium school has received a license since 1994. So how many are illegal? Who is responsible for giving them sanction? It is the duty of the local BEOs, but as we all know, the work they do is questionable.
The situation is so bad that some schools, especially those in the outskirts of the city, hire candidates who have merely passed their second PUC or less, as teachers! The reason is simple.
They are willing to work for very low salaries, cannot form unions and can be kept in check because they feel heavily obligated to the school that hires them. This is true of many private schools, whose only aim is to maximise their profits. Simply put, they want faculty, who will not question the misdeeds of the management.
It is crucial for the government to maintain a database of teachers and their credentials, but the only information it has is on its own schools. The bigger private schools in the city entice parents with flashy buildings, swimming pools, tennis courts and horse riding lessons.
The superficial infrastructure is beautifully maintained, but the more important aspects like quality of faculty, are rarely attended to. Parents are happy to see a well-spoken polished individual teaching their children, taking it for granted that he or she is qualified and capable.
So conducting thorough background checks should be made mandatory, and potential faculty subjected to psychiatric assessment before they are allowed to deal with children.
Also, although it is mandatory for the authorities concerned to regularly inspect the schools, it is never done. Surprise visits are compulsory according to the Child Rights Convention, but who is to ask why they are not made? The local BEO is required to conduct a surprise inspection every 15 days.
If the school doesn’t let him in, he must approach the police and the parents concerned. Only booking a case against errant schools can usher in change, but the department has proved to be totally inept.
In the process, the schools see themselves as the ultimate authority, make their own rules and don’t even permit officials or parents to enter their campuses.
The RTE Task Force is now planning a campaign to mobilise the parents and demand accountability from the establishment that is meant to protect their children.
Every school must have a union comprising representatives of the parents’ association, an NGO and an official. Parents must remember that they are well within their rights to demand answers from the management and must raise their voices. Otherwise the spate of molestations and sexual abuse of children will continue.
The writer is convener, RTE Task Force
