Govt primary schools aplenty, but beeline for aided, unaided

PANAJI: Government-run primary schools may be double the number of primary schools run by other managements in the State but when it comes to student enrolment, these government primary schools attract less than a third of the total students pursuing primary education in government-aided and recognised unaided schools across the State.
As per latest enrolment statistics for the academic year 2017-18 of the Directorate of Education (DoE), the 780 primary schools managed by the government have attracted only 21,192 students, while the 392 aided and unaided schools have a huge number of takers - 75,852 students to be precise.
What's more, the 780 government run primary schools cannot even match the enrolment of the 122 unaided schools, which has 25,173 students on its rolls.
Questioned over the preference to opt for an unaided school by paying huge sums of money as fees, a parent said, "I wanted my child to study in one of the best schools in town. Private schools provide the best of facilities like teaching aides, infrastructure as well as sports, which helps the child not only in academics, but also co-curricular activities. Secondly, the world today has become highly competitive and this competition I feel is more visible in private schools."
Another parent opined, "I feel if the basic education at primary level is qualitative, then a child can cope up better at high school level."
Pointing out that she doesn't mind shifting her child to a government-aided school from standard V onwards, she said, "I may shift my child to a government-aided school from standard V onwards, but now I want her to have the best education and also facilities available. Secondly, I want her to study in English only as from standard V onwards that is the only medium in the State. if she studies in a regional language, then she would find it difficult to cope up later."
Speaking about the scenario, an official of DoE spoke about the various factors which have led to the increase in enrolment, especially in government-aided schools.
"When it comes to government schemes, aided institutions are given first preference. In some cases, high schools which have been given Bal Rath buses to ferry students, use it for ferrying even primary students if the school has a primary section. And now with the State Government providing special grant of Rs 400 per student per month, it is an added advantage", said the official.
However, he said, "When it comes to unaided schools, the have better infrastructure facilities which attract students in a big way."

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