Srinagar, March 22: The mega-enrollment drive in various districts of Kashmir division to enroll more children in the government schools is showing good results and has garnered the attention of many parents towards the government-run schools.
The teachers said that in addition to new admissions, they have been able to enroll back the out-of-school children who had left their studies.
Bashir Ahmad, Headmaster, Government Middle School, Soiteng, told Rising Kashmir that the response towards the drive has been “positive”. “Despite having tough competition from the private schools around us, we have been able to have a good number of students and function smoothly. Our teachers have also gone for a door-to-door campaign which was very well taken by the people. Young teachers have also come to know about the importance of having good enrollment in their schools as it is a service to society. In our schools, two of our staff members have also enrolled their kids in the government school which is a positive step,” he said.
In south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, a rally was conducted by the teachers of various schools led by Director, School Education Department, Dr Tadaduq Hussain Mir. The rally went to the remotest habitation Bagandar. “During the rally, slogans like ‘We Want Education’ were raised and the School Education Department reached the farthest area where people hardly have any knowledge about education. The Director Education was actively involved and talked to the locals,” Suhail, a teacher, said.
For the past many years, to retain the students’ population, the School Education Department has taken a number of initiatives to tackle the decline in school enrollment. The teachers said the streamlining of the out–of–school children and students with special needs has been the priority.
Asiya, a teacher from Ganderbal, said, “People participated in the motivation camps where students performed skits highlighting female education and how education can be the ray of hope for a better future. The drive has attracted students of private schools and it emphasizes strengthening the pre-schooling which is the base of every child.”
The 10-day mega enrollment drive started in Kashmir on March 15.
