M A I L B A G

What ails Haryana’s schools

In his article, “School education, a failure in Haryana” (Jan 19), D. R. Chaudhary, Member, Administrative Reforms Commission, Haryana, has examined the major deficiencies in the Haryana school education system. He rightly said that the quality of education in government schools had gone down because of the shortage of teachers and infrastructure and the lack of commitment on the part of most teachers.

Compared with private schools, government schools have become slums in the education system. The children of economically weaker sections of society (rural and urban) deserve special attention in a democratic set-up.

However, private schools are not different from government schools in producing mostly the educated youth who are socially least conscious, have little respect for laws and institutions of the land and care two hoots about social unity and development.

The state has, certainly, ignored its responsibility in providing uniform and quality education to all its citizens. But what is more serious is that the polity has gravely degenerated and become too opportunistic to care for equitable societal development even in the sphere of education.

Dr SURAJ BHAN, Haryana Gian Vigyan Samiti, Rohtak

II

Admittedly, without state intervention, it is difficult to educate all the children. As for education in Haryana, the situation is not so “dismal”. Even private schools are not delivering quality education though they charge exorbitant fees. Most convent schools are being run like profit-making hotels. In public perception, they are doing better than the government schools but in reality, they cater to the fancies of the rich.

The public schools’ role is nominal after the students cross Class V. They don’t have qualified staff and most of their students learn only the better “dress-sense” and urban courtesies.

True, government school teachers have had to handle “poor stuff” throughout the academic session and that is why they are unable to deliver the best results. But this doesn’t mean that these schools are mere “dumping grounds” for weaker sections in Haryana. I endorse the writer’s sensible view that the teachers should have say in the decision-making process at the top level.

RAJ BAHADUR YADAV, Fatehabad

III

The article analyses the strengths and weaknesses of the present system of education in rural Haryana. He has presented the true picture — the declining number of students, political patronage for teachers, poor infrastructure and dismal quality of rural school education vis-à-vis the urban, computer-savvy school system in some cities.

The writer should have examined Haryana’s position in various spheres. It is ranked 23rd in the Education Development Index by the National University of Educational Planning and Administration, seventh in the Human Development Index, 28th in the Gender Development Index and second in the per capita index.

The rate of urbanisation in this state is 29 per cent above the National Urbanisation Index of 28 per cent. The rural-urban dichotomy could have been proved a glaring area of research for the present predicament of rural education.

The writer refers to the flawed system of educating the SC and BC population (about 50 per cent) in rural Haryana. He should have suggested ways to improve the quality of life of the disadvantaged sections.

RAM AUTAR, Rohtak

Remembering a martyr I read Maj-Gen G. G. Dwivedi’s article, “For whom the bell tolls” (Jan 22). The writer talks of a highly spirited third generation Army officer, Lt-Col Rajeev Bakshi, SM, who gave his life in clearing insurgents from South Manipur. His father, Lt-Col Rajeev Bakshi, commanded the Lucky Thirteen at the same place, 32 years ago. Even today after two years of losing his son, Col Bakshi repeats what he said to Maj-Gen Dwivedi on that ill-fated day, “I am proud of my son, for doing us proud”. I am reminded of a poem composed by Lt-Col Rajeev Bakshi, who is incidentally my brother, for an Army journal: “When you are on the commanding chair/ Everyone and all show their care/ What really matters is…/When you are gone from the chair/ Do everyone and all still show their care? RANJANA BHARADWAJ, Panchkula

Traffic chaos

Nowadays traffic chaos is a routine affair at Jalandhar’s Mandi Chowk, especially in the evenings. Long queues of vehicles on each side of this chowk often lead to accidents and delays. In addition, potholes in front of the petrol station near this chowk make it difficult for the vehicles, especially two wheelers, to move. They invariably get stuck there, resulting in accidents sometimes.

Moreover, streetlights don’t function. Before elections, the present MLA promised that the roundabout will be given a facelift with new traffic lights in a fortnight. He has simply forgotten his promise. The local administration should wake up and take remedial steps urgently.

RAJESH SHARMA, Jalandhar Cantonment