Low enrolment schools to be merged for optimizing resources

ISABELLA GURUNG

Students from 97 schools to be adjusted in nearby schools

GANGTOK,: With the aim to provide quality education, cohort learning and better facilities in government schools across Sikkim, the State Education department has decided to merge those government schools with fewer students in a class, with other schools with good number of students, starting next academic session,

Addressing the media here at Tashiling Secretariat on Thursday, Education minister Raju Basnet informed that there are 78 primary schools in Sikkim with less than 10 students in a class, 12 junior high schools with less than 20 students in a class and seven secondary schools with less than 50 students in a class.

“The SKM government has taken various steps to improve the education sector and provide better facilities. Under the aegis of Chief Minister PS Golay, the State government has decided to merge or consolidate schools with fewer students, with other schools with good attendance of students. All schools need resources. Secondary schools require laboratories, libraries and teachers in different streams. We think that the resources are being misutilised in schools with fewer students in a class. We are taking this decision, keeping the budget, manpower and resources in mind,” expressed the Minister.

“The students from these schools will be adjusted in good government schools, close by. Hostel facilities and transportation is also being kept in mind. Teachers from these schools will also be relocated and posted in nearby schools, he added.

Basnet has further clarified that if the enrolment of these schools improves by the winter break then those schools will not merge with other schools.

It was further informed that the Government of India has issued a similar policy and has identified schools in 36 districts across India to be consolidated or merged with other schools.

Three schools in Pakyong district have also been identified under the policy and are in the approval stage. Pakyong district has been chosen as the pilot project, it was informed.

The Education minister had further suggested panchayats or concerned persons or communities to use the vacant schools by converting them to community and cultural centres, or homestays etc. The private schools could also make use of it. This is just an initial thought and not the final decision, he added.

Further, Basnet added that according to the Chief Minister’s Mentorship Scheme, launched on Teacher’s Day, the target is to achieve 100 per cent results in class 10 board exams.

“Around 132 winter crash course centres have been identified across Sikkim. Anyone willing to volunteer, help or mentor our students is welcome, and they will be provided with an honorarium. The senior officials from the Education department will supervise, and principals and headmasters from different schools will also present,” he informed.