Govt may review education act

MARGAO: The government has called for an inquiry into the storm over admissions to primary and high schools in Margao, but is looking at the provisions of Goa School Education Admission Act 1984 to find out how best to redress the grievances. "We may have to amend the act," said a deputy director of education saying that 'first come first serve basis' is definitely an 'outdated concept'. Chief minister, Digambar Kamat, who is also the education minister told TOI that, "there is a demand for admission of students in certain private schools in Margao. We need to look into the charges made. We will see what the specific charges are and if need be take action as well. At present an inquiry has been ordered." There are around 12 to 13 government aided schools in Margao, but parents want admissions for their wards in some five to six schools. Six prestigious schools came under the scanner when an organization called citizens welfare committee alleged irregularities by the school managements, including demands for huge donations. In view of this, the directorate of education directed these private schools to stop admissions with immediate effect. Deputy director of education Anil Powar told TOI that if the charges of accepting donations are proved, the president of the committee managing the school can be fined Rs 50,000. "These are Supreme Court guidelines and have been intimated to the school management committees. The management cannot even accept 'development' and 'infrastructure' fees. All this has been cited in the education act of 1986," said Joshi. The current chaos in school admission results from rule 110 of the act that regulates procedures for admission and provides for conducting a written test but for which prior approval of the department is required. The rule also asks for 'first come, first serve basis' for admission and vests powers in the director of the department to recommend the admission of students. And parents do approach the department for recommendations. Sudesh Naik of the south education zone says, "Because of the rush to well-known private schools, nearly half of those seeking admissions in these schools are unable to get admissions. Every year there are numerous parents who come to us and literally beg us to recommend their student to these private schools. And no amount of convincing on our part helps." The ugly practice of demanding huge amounts as donations has gone unchecked by authorities for a very long time. Sources claim that prestigious schools demand as much as Rs 35,000 to Rs 50,000 for admissions to pre-primary and primary classes. Interestingly, observations reveal that schools which have been demanding donations have become very popular in Margao. Parents scramble for seats in schools known to deliver high standards of education and the irregularities that follow have kicked up a row of sorts. Officials at the directorate of education at Margao have drawn much flak and feel that the problem lies with the parents. "For most parents these schools have become a status symbols. They take great pride in admitting their wards in these schools and are ready to pay donations, even if they cannot afford," stated an official on conditions of anonymity. While most parents agree on the above reason for the current turmoil, others blame the interference of politicians. "If you do not have a political godfather, your child may not be able to receive the good education, these schools claim to deliver. The hike in donation fees is an outcome of this interference," said Anna Souza Periera, a parent from Chichinim. The trend of studying in city schools prevails all over Goa and parents are ready to pay donations. Gayatri Sardessai, a resident of Porvorim seeking admissions for her nine-year-old daughter in the fifth standard in Sharda Mandir High School, Panaji says, "It is not the poor standards but the bad infrastructure in government schools that prevents parents from admitting students in these schools. The private schools see that there is over all development of the student. I want only the best for my daughter. And I will even pay a high amount of donation to secure admissions in a prestigious school if I have to."
10 May 2008, 0324 hrs IST , Sanjay Banerjee and Rajeshree Nagarsekar , TNN
THE TIMES OF INDIA