17 November,2011 08:13 AM IST | | Kranti Vibhute
As per new GR, over 4,000 vernacular-medium schools across the state will be converted to aided institutions if quality of education, facilities provided meet department's approval
There's some good news for teachers and students alike in unaided schools across the state. The state education department issued a general resolution (GR) stating that over 4,000 unaided primary and secondary schools will be converted to government-aided schools in the next year.
According to the GR, all unaided schools barring English-medium schools will be converted by 2012 if they fit the criteria decided by the government.
Get grade, get aid: Officials will inspect the school that wants
government funding and evaluate them on a test of 100 marks on various
different aspects. If they pass the inspection, they will then be eligible for
aid from the following year. Representation pic
Speaking to MiD DAY, Education Minister Rajendra Darda said, "In the past, we received several requests from teachers of unaided schools to convert them into aided schools. Finally, on November 15, the GR to the same effect was passed and if the unaided schools fit the guidelines as laid down by the education department they will receive aid from next year."
Explaining the benefits of being an aided school, Darda added that the move will improve the quality of education. "Teachers will get their salaries on time and the facilities provided to the school will be better."
Only institutions that have been working for more than three years will be eligible. Also, education officials will inspect the facility and mark them on 100 on various aspects. "If they pass and get good marks in the inspections, they will be provided with government aid," added Darda.
However, there are many who are not happy with the move. Jayant Jain, president, All India Federation of Parents Teachers Association, said, "Most of the vernacular medium schools in Mumbai have shut down and become English medium schools. If the government wanted to provide education to all, they should include English-medium schools."
Echoing the same sentiments, Amol Dhamdhere, secretary, Indian Education Society, said, "The GR does not affect many in the city as most of the children attend English medium schools. This move will benefit schools in the rural areas. The government should include institutions like us before coming up with such policies so that we can give our vital opinions."
Criteria to be marked on
>>u00a050 marks out of the 100 will be awarded to the school based on their educational performanceu00a0
>> 35 marks will be allotted for the facilities the schools provide to their students
>>u00a03 marks will be allotted for counseling centres
>>u00a03 marks for activities conducted on social welfare
>>u00a05 marks for students' participation not only in school but also in other co-curricular activitiesu00a0
>> 4 marks will be allotted for eco-friendly initiatives like rain water harvesting, proper use of water etc
