Permission needed to open private schools, colleges
The standard
of private school education is often so poor that
students have to rely on expensive tuitions outside
of schools to
keep up with their
coursework
It is good to know that from now on permission will have to be taken for opening private educational institutions. Education ministry sources said the decision was taken to streamline such institutions from the secondary to the college level as they faced various problems in the past. It is indeed disappointing to see the plight of the private schools. These schools purportedly aim to impart quality education using state of the art facilities to the students with sheer hard work, effort and determination. The reality, nonetheless, is contrary. The private schools have more or less emerged as commercial or profit maximising entities. They aim to generate maximum revenue from the students fees neglecting the quality of education imparted to the students.
It is clearly evident that the standard of education delivered at the private schools is gradually dwindling. Unfortunately access to good education has for years been understood in this country as a commodity, the purchase of which is the privilege of those who can afford to pay. That private institutions should be carefully regulated and be required to conform to standard requirements cannot be argued against. However, what must not be forgotten is the state of affairs that prevails in the public education sector the very ugly reality that led to the creation of the private institutions in the first place.
It is correct that it is the duty of the state and the government of the day to make quality and affordable education available. Universal education is guaranteed by the constitution. Public school system is largely affordable but is often insufficient for the needs of a burgeoning population, has severe quality and standards problems, and is plagued by issues such as faculty incapacities and absenteeism, corporal punishment, and the like.
On the other hand, the reality is that a regulatory mechanism for schools has been long overdue. It is also true that even private school education is often so poor that students rely on expensive tuitions outside of schools to keep up with their coursework. The true crisis of both private and public educational institutions can clearly be seen in the popularity of the coaching centres. While regulating education is important, much more needs to be done by the state in the sphere of public education.
Considering such adverse situation, there is a dire need for the ministry of education to take notice of the educational institutes for improving their educational standards.
