SSA, RTE still a flop show in Bishnupur district

By: Wahengbam Rorrkychand
Imphal: Government elementary schools in Bishnupur district are in a pathetic situation with no proper infrastructures, low enrolment and retention ratio, claims a recent field survey.
Coalition on Advocacy for Lifelong Learning (CALL-Manipur) conducted a field survey of 20 elementary school under Bishnupur and Moirang blocks of Bishnupur district aiming at documenting 12 specific cases of violation in implementation of the Right to Education Act at aspects like quality education, infrastructure, functioning of School Management Committee (SMC) under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and Mid Day Meals Scheme (MDMS) programs, enrolment and standards of elementary education in the schools.
During the survey, it was found that 80% or 16 schools out of 20 were found to have inadequate infrastructures and facilities. Building of 65% of the schools are in a risky condition while, 35% of the schools had inadequate classrooms and 55% of the schools had only 3-5 classrooms.
Interestingly the survey also reported that 85% of schools had toilet facilities but 10% schools have no separate toilet for girls. Only 7 schools (35%) have separately toilets for girls built at different location.
It is also said that only 50% of the schools in the district have an average below 20 students per existing classrooms. Enrolment and retention rate for both girls and boys in elementary schools of the two blocks are falling over the last two academic sessions 2016-17 and 2017-18. The retention rate of girls is higher than that of boys in these schools.
Regarding the School working hours, the survey findings suggest that most schools reportedly open between 8.30am and 10.00 am and closes in between 1.30 and 4.00 pm, while, 3 schools were found not running classes during schools hours during school visits.