GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN PUNJAB



Balwant Garg
Tribune News Service

Faridkot, August 6

As many as 97 per cent of the students of government primary schools in Punjab belong to Dalit families, a survey conducted by the Government of India (GOI) has revealed.

The survey examined students of primary classes (I-V) in Punjab and found that only three per cent of the students belong to other categories, but they come from economically weaker families.

The government had conducted the survey during the evaluation of the National Programme of Nutritional Support to Primary Education.

The educational background of the parents is an important factor for enabling children to continue studies. The survey found that the parents of 50.51 per cent students of government primary schools in Punjab are illiterate. About 23.47 per cent parents have completed primary education while 15.66 per cent studied till class VIII.

In contrast, the parents of 24.12 per cent students of government primary schools in Haryana were either matriculate or above. In Punjab, the figure stands at 10.10 per cent.

In Kerala, the state known for high literacy rate, the percentage of such parents is 42.01, revealed the survey.

At national level, while the parents of 43 per cent students of government primary schools are engaged as labourers in agricultural and other activities, in Punjab the percentage of such parents is 70.65.

Further, the survey found that the intake of milk among 21 per cent of kids in Punjab was nil while 13.5 per cent never got fruits at home.

The students in government schools in urban areas mainly belong to SC/BC categories. In urban areas, the primary government schools cater to only very poor children belonging to SC/BC and other categories.

In the Government Middle School in Bazigar Basti of Faridkot, out of a total of 166 students, 154 belong to SC category while eight were from BC category. Only four students are from general category and they belong to economically weaker sections of society.

Survey finds

 The parents of over 50 per cent students are illiterate, 23.47 per cent have completed primary education while 15.66 per cent studied till class VIII

 The parents of close to 70 per cent students of government primary schools in Punjab work as labourers in agricultural or other activities

 About 21 per cent of the students don’t get milk at home while 13.5 per cent were never fed fruit

 The government schools in urban areas of Punjab mainly cater to students belonging to SC/BC categories