Education plays a significant role in reducing poverty and improves personal, social and economic well-being of individuals as well as society. For the progress of any nation, education shouldn’t only be inclusive but equitable as well, because it’s the most important investment a nation can make in its future. We have both private and public/government schools and the comparisons between them will go on till eternity. But the progress of government schools in terms of enrolling more students than private schools during the Covid-19 pandemic reflects an overall improvement.
This shift of children from private to government schools may be a direct impact of financial constraints caused by the pandemic. But we cannot rule out the changing face of govt schools which are gradually coming at par with private schools. Let me make it clear that private schools have been better in their approach towards overall development of a child and also have better infrastructure in comparison to govt schools, where many educational development needs remain unmet. But because of stiff competition and some upcoming revolutionary reforms, we are witnessing improvement in govt schools. These schools are a hope especially for the underprivileged section of society as they provide free education to children up to the age of 14 years, free uniforms and textbooks, and even mid day meals. Many parents have had their own education in govt schools. Even many successful persons and officers have also studied in govt schools.
The current regime has been strong on reforms and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 marks a historic development in our education system. After this policy, government schools will not be able to charge any fees till Class 12. It will also deliver early childhood care and education (ECCE) which was not found earlier in govt schools and was a big drawback in comparison to private schools. ECCE gives children a solid foundation upon which all learning depends on, making every stage of education that follows more efficient and more productive. However, there are still several issues which are required to be taken care of.
A teacher not only disseminates knowledge but plays an active role in shaping the lives of students. Teachers are now putting more efforts and the need is to embrace and adapt to the constant changes in education system. Teachers alone can’t change the school system, so the government has to play its role as well. Nowadays teachers are motivating parents to enrol their wards in govt schools, but finally it’s the government which has to provide access to better infrastructure facilities. If the government revamps and allocates generous resources to improve the ailing infrastructure, and if teachers perform their duties with sincerity and dedication, the day is not far when we will witness splendid performance from govt school students.

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Mushtaq Bhat