Rajasthan: Upgraded govt schools compete with private ones

Jaipur: Tucked in rural hinterland Swami Vivekananda Government Model Schools (SVHMS) are writing a new chapter in Rajasthan's school education system. In a reverse trend, parents are opting for SVGMS over private schools.

In four years, enrollment has jumped from 8,940 to 50,000 children. Such is the craze that even after admissions are closed in the month if March, schools authorities are flooded with requests from parents and public representatives. SVGMS in Todabhim in Karauli district, one of the most backward areas in the state received 550 applications for 80 seats of Class 6, which is the entry level in these schools.

Umesh Kumar Sharma, Principal of SVGMS in Dausa said just a few moments ago he received a call from SDM that local MP had sent a recommendation.

“When the school was set up, we literally begged parents to send their children to our school. They were skeptic given the bad reputation of government school. Now, I have to turn them away because we have limited seats and very strict admission policy,” said Prithvi Singh Charan, principal of SVGMS, Phalodi,

There are enough reasons for this change in attitude. First, the infrastructure is vastly superior to that in other state government schools and on par with many top private schools. Apart from building, toilets, drinking water and electricity, these schools have smart class, which means information and communication technology (ICT) labs with internet facility and full time computer teachers, library with books and magazines, playground, gardens and auditorium.

“We have our own YouTube channel, website and band,” said Ashok Kumar Parmar, principal of SVGMS in the border area of Anoopgarh in Bikaner district.

That’s not all. Special emphasis is given on teaching of science, mathematics and English. Bridge course is available for the weak students. In addition, sports and other co-curricular activities are encouraged. These schools not only have arts, music, drawing and physical education teachers but regular competitions are organised among SVGMS schools.

However, Mr Parmar claimed that there are more compelling reasons for the interest shown by the parents. According to him, unlike other state government schools the SVGMS are English medium schools and affiliated to CBSE. Besides, the government has ensured that teachers of all streams are available. According to him, 12 students of his school got 10 CGPA in Class 10 Board exams in 2016-17.

What’s more, unlike private schools which charge exorbitant fee and increase it arbitrarily every year, the education is completely free in SVGMS. “What else parents and students want if teachers are available and take classes regularly. The teachers who opt for teaching in these schools come prepared with a mindset that they will have to work hard,” said Mr Sharma.

The 134 schools opened in education backward blocks (EBB) based on a survey by the central government have been following central school pattern but they are more like Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) of the central government in terms of admission policy. The only difference is that JNV are residential schools. There were 186 EBBs in the state but there are plans to increase their number. “The success is encouraging and we have received overwhelming response,” said education minister Vasudev Devnani.