Delhi govt. schools get thumbs up from parents in NCR, finds survey
New Delhi: Schools in the National Capital Region (NCR) must emulate the model of Delhi government in terms of making much-needed improvements to facilities and teaching methods employed in Delhi’s government schools, noted a parents’ satisfaction survey conducted by ASSOCHAM under the aegis of its Social Development Foundation.
“State governments of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Rajasthan having thirteen, seven and two districts that along with NCT of Delhi make up the NCR, must take a cue from Delhi government and allocate large chunk of their budget to education,” suggested many parents whose kids are studying in government schools in NCR, according to a random survey conducted by ASSOCHAM Social Development Foundation (ASDF).
The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) interacted through digital media and social networking sites with about 3,250 parents in districts falling in NCR (apart from NCT of Delhi) whose children are studying in local government schools. The survey was conducted during summer holidays in May-June to ascertain the views of people in general about their level of satisfaction in government schools of their respective districts.
Almost all the parents were of the view that Delhi government is doing a commendable job for bringing overall improvement in the school education as every parent wants schools with good amount of facilities in their own area.
Many of them said that through various media reports and views of their relatives and known people they have learnt about Delhi government model of schools that have undergone a metamorphosis of late.
Things like overhauled school infrastructure including cleanliness maintained in the premises, proper water and electricity supply, providing facilities like auditorium, well-equipped libraries and laboratories, swimming pool, which were till now limited to policy papers are being made available in Delhi schools. “We want our own state governments and district administrations to provide these facilities at least in NCR schools to match up to their counterparts in neighbourhood Delhi.”
Some of those interviewed said that their relatives in Delhi have either recently moved their children or are thinking to get their wards admitted to state-run schools in Delhi from private institutions they are/were attending.
Releasing the findings of the chamber’s survey, ASSOCHAM’s secretary general, Mr D.S. Rawat said, “Lot is being done in the education sector both at the Centre and state government levels in Delhi. With Delhi government providing state-of-the-art facilities, improving infrastructure and quality of education, other state governments must follow suit to help shape a bright future for our children.”
Apart from this, parents were also asked how satisfied they were with various aspects of the school their child currently attended, including the school overall, the teachers, academic standards, order and discipline, facilities and the way the school staff interacted with parents.
Majority of respondents in all the districts said there were many areas that need to be improved. Some said that proactive approach was needed to ensure wholesome development of children i.e. equal focus on education and extracurricular activities, conducting classes in creative writing, dance, theatre, fine arts and other such subjects by hiring specialised teachers.
Besides, many suggested that schools must work on a variety of parameters – security apparatus, infrastructure, developing better learning environment for children, small class sizes, smart classes, better student-faculty ratio, responsive teachers and administrators, better discipline and frequent parent-teacher interactions, improved social skills of children and other such factors.