Mashal March held to attract students to govt schools

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, February 20

Under the ‘Padho Punjab, Padhao Punjab’ project, a Mashal March was taken out, here today, with an aim to increase the number of enrolled students in government schools.

Starting from Senior Secondary School, Jagraon (Boys), the ‘Mashaal’ voyaged through various villages, including Jagraon, Rumi, Kamalpura, Bassian, Raikot, Barmi, Sarabha, Dhaipai, Narangwal, Kila Raipur, Dehlon, Hargobindpur, Sarinh, Gill.

At the Gill point, students of a government primary school holding placard pitched slogans like “Muft Kitaba, Muft hai Vardi, Dakhil ho Jado Marzi”. Pamphlets for admissions were distributed to the passersby to invoke awareness towards government schools.

Swarnjit Kaur, District Education Officer (Secondary), said, “It is a good effort propagated by the Education Secretary. We are sure that the number of admissions will increase this year and our efforts will definitely bear fruit. Teachers were highly motivated during this drive. We were welcomed by more than 40 government schools during the journey.”

Some parents of students studying in private schools, however, showed their reluctance to send their children to government schools. They were of the opinion that besides holding awareness drives to increase enrolment, the government has to provide proper infrastructure and adequate facilities in government schools.

Sharda, a local resident, said, “I will never send my children to a government school. To achieve what they desire, government schools will have to provide proper facilities. It seems they are focusing on numbers, and not on quality education.”

Manmohan Aggarwal, a parent, said, “It is a good initiative, but a lot needs to be done. The government should uplift the standard of education in these schools.”

Interestingly, a suspended Block Primary Education Officer (BPEO), Sher Singh, who was under investigation for his alleged involvement in corruption, remained in the forefront, holding the Mashaal in a programme held at Gill village.

According to the order issued by the Primary Education Department, a copy of which is with The Tribune, his second extension service was coming to end on April 30, 2018. However, on the account of misconduct, his service was terminated on January 23, 2018, itself.