Scholarly Research Journal for Interdisciplinary Studies, Online ISSN 2278-8808, SJIF 2016 = 6.17, www.srjis.com UGC Approved Sr. No.49366, JAN-FEB 2018, VOL- 5/43
A STUDY INTO THE EFFORTS AND EFFECTS IN THE UNIVERSALISATION OF PRIMARY EDUCATION IN BARGARH DISTRICT Sanjeet Kumar Tiwari, Ph. D. Associate Professor, School of Education, MATS University, Raipur (C.G.) sanjeetstiwari@gmail.com
The progress of a nation completely depends upon its educational system. It is through education that we can make people aware of their rights, duties and responsibilities. Education will instill in them right civic sense. Success of democracy depends on its citizens. Hence democracy needs its citizens to be educated. People can cast their valuable vote properly if they are educated and politically conscious. So all the citizens must be educated at least minimum level. Article 45 of the Indian constitution pledges free and compulsory education to all children up to the age of 14 years. In spite of provisions made in the constitution and efforts made by the government. We have not been able to universalize it till date. Free and compulsory primary education has remained in pen and paper only. The problems which have been instrumental for our failure are apathy of parents, early marriage of girls, poverty of parents, poor nutrition of children, high rate of wastage and stagnation, inaccessible areas etc.
Scholarly Research Journal's is licensed Based on a work at www.srjis.com
NEED OF THE STUDY: As per the guidelines adopted at national level, the state of Odisha providing access to primary schools within one Km. and to upper primary schools within three Kms. The government is providing incentive like free text books, free uniforms to girls, midday-meals to attract the children with a view to increase enrolment and retention and reduce drop-out rate at primary level. In addition to these, the government has taken steps to provide basic infrastructure including schools building under District Primary Education Programme (DPEP), Operation Blackboard (OB) Scheme, Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA) etc. Inspite of so many measures of the government, the enrolment and retention at primary level is not satisfactory and the goal of universalisation of elementary education is not yet achieved. This might be due to apathy of parents and teachers, problems in the implementation of various interventions and plans of the government. At present, as per the 2001 census report, the total population of Odisha was 36,804,000 with literacy percentage of 63.08. There are 114,105 primary school teachers served in 46,722 primary schools, and student enrolment number is 44,85,315 and dropout Copyright Š 2017, Scholarly Research Journal for Interdisciplinary Studies
Dr. Sanjeet Kumar Tiwari 9645 (Pg. 9644-9647)
rate of classes I - V was 21.2% in 2005 and as per the flash data for 2008-09 it is still at 5.5%. Thus the goal of universalisation of primary education is yet to be realized. Thus it raises serious questions as to how we have proceeded in our strategy of implementation. The effectiveness of the progress depends on various factors. So the researcher intends to investigate the efforts of the government, teachers, and parents in the universalisation of primary education in Bargarh District. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY: The following were the objectives of the present study. (i)
To study the efforts of (a) the government, (b) teachers and (c) the parents in the
universalisation of primary education in Bargarh. (ii)
To study the latest achievement in the field of universalisation of primary education in
this district with respect to enrolment, retention and achievement. (iii) To find out the problems in its attainment. (iv) To suggest remedial measures for improvement. DELIMITATION OF THE STUDY The study was delimited to the primary schools of (a) Ambabhona block of Bargarh District, Odisha (b) the headmaster and teachers of primary schools and parents of the above block and (c) The study was confined to academic session 2007-08. DESIGN OF THE STUDY Method-
Investigator followed Descriptive Survey method for the present study.
Population -
All the headmasters, teachers of primary schools and parents of Ambabhona
block constituted the population of the present study. Simple-
The Investigator randomly selected 25 headmasters, 50 teachers and 50
parents from 25 primary schools from Ambabhona Block. Tools- The Investigator developed two self made questionnaire for headmaster and teachers and one interview schedule for parents for collection data. Statistical Technique Used -
For the present study simple percentage was used for analysis
of data. MAJOR FINDINGS OF THE STUDY: The findings of the present study, which are stated under three heads. A- Reports of the Headmasters. B- Report of the Teachers C-
Report of the Parents
Copyright Š 2017, Scholarly Research Journal for Interdisciplinary Studies
Dr. Sanjeet Kumar Tiwari 9646 (Pg. 9644-9647)
(A) REPORT OF THE HEADMASTERS I.
Hundred percent of headmasters reported that they appraised their higher authorities regarding the appointment of required numbers of teachers in their schools.
II.
So far as number of appointment of new teacher was concerned, only one regular teacher was appointed in each of the 25 of schools and two teachers were appointed in each of the 6% of schools.
III.
To enhance the enrolment of children in schools 84% of headmasters appraised the local parents and 62% discussed the matter in VEC meeting.
IV.
Only in 6% of schools number of dropouts was ranging from 1-3 and in 8% of schools it was 4-6.
V.
Hundred percent headmasters reported that MDM materials supplied by government reached in time at their schools.
VI.
Not a single students in any of sample school had received scholarship for academic excellence during the session 2006-07 and 2007-08.
VII.
Suggestions given by higher authorities on their visit to various schools were regular attendance of teachers, improvement of quality of instruction, campus cleanliness, supervision of MDM etc.
VIII.
Suggestions given by headmasters for it universalistion of elementary education were appointment of required number of regular teachers, free dress for boys, noninvolvement of teachers in the works of government, regular supervision of higher authorities to schools etc.
(B) I.
REPORT OF THE TEACHERS Seventy-two percent of teachers reported that most of their students were regular in the class.
II.
Twelve percent schools had dropouts in class-V, 8% of schools had dropouts in classll ranging from 1-3. But no dropout was found in class-l of any schools under the investigation.
III.
The performance of the students in different classes were either average or below average in science, English and social studies.
(D) I.
REPORT OF THE PARENTS Eighty-seven percent of parents had attended PTA/MTA/VEC meeting held in the schools.
Copyright Š 2017, Scholarly Research Journal for Interdisciplinary Studies
Dr. Sanjeet Kumar Tiwari 9647 (Pg. 9644-9647)
II.
Seventy-eight percent of parents said that the mothers were taking care of the education of their children.
SUGGESTION FOR IMPROVEMENT: Following are the suggestion of the headmaster, teachers and parents which helps to universalize the primary education.
Government should appoint required number of regular teachers in every school.
The number of residential schools should be increased to accommodate SC/ST/Poor students.
Regular supervision should be done by higher authorities in every schools.
Extra class should be taken for weak students.
Quality and quantity of food items should be better to attract more children in schools.
CONCLUSION: In-spite of so many efforts of the government and public, universalisation of primary education is yet to be realized. Allocation of fund for expansion of primary education is not the only essential requirement, what is more important is the sincerity of the people who are working in the field of primary education. REFERENCES: Aggrawal, J.C. (2007) “Development and planning of modern education”. Das, M (2000) “ Education in India : Problems and perspectives. Dhawan, M.L. “ Issues Indian Education”. Mehrotra, S (2006) “ The economics of elementary education in India”. Pathania, A. and Pathania, K “ Primary Education and mid-day meal scheme”.
Copyright © 2017, Scholarly Research Journal for Interdisciplinary Studies