Collapsing Public Education in Madhya Pradesh: A Classroom Full of Unfulfilled Pledges
In the heart of India, Madhya Pradesh's public schools are grappling with significant challenges that hinder the quality of education for thousands of students. Despite a substantial education budget exceeding ₹6,400 crore, the state's education system is plagued by inadequate resource allocation, infrastructural issues, and administrative inefficiencies.
One of the most pressing problems is the poor state of school infrastructure. Public schools face significant infrastructural challenges, such as inadequate classrooms, insufficient basic amenities, and collapsing buildings. These issues create an unfavourable learning environment and discourage students from attending school regularly.
Single-teacher schools, where a single educator is responsible for multiple classes and subjects, are another notable problem. This not only burdens the teacher but also affects the quality of education provided to students. Teachers in these schools often perform additional roles such as peons, cleaners, cooks, and watchmen, further straining their ability to focus on teaching.
There seems to be a lack of effective administrative oversight and initiative in addressing these issues promptly. While intentions and future plans are being communicated, the immediate needs of the students and schools are not being adequately met.
The state government has announced plans to allocate funds for maintaining and constructing school infrastructure, including building additional rooms. However, these plans are yet to be fully implemented. The reasons for incomplete classrooms include delayed payments, no contractors, political apathy, and bureaucratic lethargy.
As of now, 9,500 schools across Madhya Pradesh still lack electricity. In these schools, students write by the dim light from doorways. Additionally, at least 1,745 government schools in Madhya Pradesh do not have toilets for girls.
Examples of the dire state of school buildings can be seen in schools like Jehangiria Government School, which once educated former President Shankar Dayal Sharma, and now has part of its building sealed for safety due to leaking ceilings and falling plaster. In Negma village, students study in a village temple amid religious chants and roaming livestock.
Pranjal Srivastava, a teacher at Sandipani School, describes the small, water-logged, and dirty classrooms as a challenge for teaching. Sandipani School, once rebranded under the Chief Minister Rise initiative, now operates in a rented building with tin roofs that turn into ovens in summer and sieves during monsoon.
The state's "Pratibhashali Vidyarthi Protsahan Yojana" aims to promote digital learning by offering laptops to meritorious students, but it does not address the broader systemic problems. The broader context of India's education sector includes efforts under the National Education Policy 2020 and upcoming revisions for 2025. These policies aim to improve foundational learning, increase vocational training, and enhance digital access to education. However, the success of these initiatives in Madhya Pradesh will depend on effective implementation and resource allocation.
In summary, while there are ongoing efforts to improve the education system at both the state and national levels, the specific challenges faced by public schools in Madhya Pradesh require more targeted and immediate action to address the pressing issues of infrastructure, staffing, and administrative accountability. Disha Srivastava, Principal-in-Charge of Sandipani School, mentions they have been waiting for a permanent building for three years, and 3,342 classrooms remain incomplete years after being sanctioned and funded. Add to this the absence of ramps in 775 schools, and it becomes clear that urgent action is needed to provide a conducive learning environment for Madhya Pradesh's students.
The lack of attention towards addressing the immediate infrastructure needs in Madhya Pradesh's public schools is concerning, as it hinders the quality of education, particularly in the context of single-teacher schools where teachers are burdened with additional roles. (education-and-self-development, politics)
Moreover, the underfunding and delay in implementing plans for school infrastructure maintenance and construction exacerbate the unfavourable learning environment, as evidenced by schools still lacking basic amenities like electricity and functional toilets. (general-news)
