VALPOI
With the demand for Marathi medium Government Primary Schools (GPS) continuing to drop in Sattari taluka, authorities have shut down four Marathi medium GPSs for the academic year 2017-18 and 11 other schools could meet with a similar fate.
The GPSs shut down are located at Thane-Harizanwada, Nanus-Betkekarwada, Ovalye and Padoshe, while the GPS at Gawane was shut last academic year.
These schools were shut down after the student strength dropped to less than five in each school and an ADEI official told
With the demand for Marathi medium Government Primary Schools (GPS) continuing to drop in Sattari taluka, authorities have shut down four Marathi medium GPSs for the academic year 2017-18 and 11 other schools could meet with a similar fate.
The GPSs shut down are located at Thane-Harizanwada, Nanus-Betkekarwada, Ovalye and Padoshe, while the GPS at Gawane was shut last academic year.
These schools were shut down after the student strength dropped to less than five in each school and an ADEI official told
The Goan that students from these schools have been shifted to nearby primary schools with special transport facilities by the government.
"Students from the Betkekarwada GPS have been shifted to Nanus-Hathwada, while students from Thane-Harizanwada are shifted to Gaonkarwada-Thane. Likewise, students from Ovalye are shifted to Honda and students from Padoshe have been accommodated at Poriem.
Inadequate infrastructure and poor quality of education at GPSs in Sattari taluka have been one of the main factors compelling parents to withdraw their children from these schools.
"Many schools are located in dilapidated buildings, which lack toilet facilities and electricity supply, while the quality of education is also poor," said one source.
"If authorities concerned fail to take action on priority basis, there is a fear that 11 more GPSs may shut down in the next academic year, especially since each of these schools have less than 10 students," the source added.
"The 11 schools which have below 10 students are in Shelmelavali (5), Murmune (9), Bodanwada (6), Bagwada (8), Velguem (8), Shelap Khurd (7), Nanoda-Bambar (6), Uste (9), Nanoda (7), Padoshe (7) and Ovalye 2 (5)," the source added.
According to official figures, 109 Marathi GPSs
were operating in Sattari taluka till 2016-17 and the closure of four schools for the academic year 2017-18
has left 105 schools to operate with a total strength of 2,559 students, with 579 studying in Std 1, 620 (Std 2), 695 (Std 3) and 665
(Std 4).
As many as 118 teachers are employed at these schools and a shortage of teachers is expected in the near future, with over 10 teachers are likely to retire from service within the next two years.
"Students from the Betkekarwada GPS have been shifted to Nanus-Hathwada, while students from Thane-Harizanwada are shifted to Gaonkarwada-Thane. Likewise, students from Ovalye are shifted to Honda and students from Padoshe have been accommodated at Poriem.
Inadequate infrastructure and poor quality of education at GPSs in Sattari taluka have been one of the main factors compelling parents to withdraw their children from these schools.
"Many schools are located in dilapidated buildings, which lack toilet facilities and electricity supply, while the quality of education is also poor," said one source.
"If authorities concerned fail to take action on priority basis, there is a fear that 11 more GPSs may shut down in the next academic year, especially since each of these schools have less than 10 students," the source added.
"The 11 schools which have below 10 students are in Shelmelavali (5), Murmune (9), Bodanwada (6), Bagwada (8), Velguem (8), Shelap Khurd (7), Nanoda-Bambar (6), Uste (9), Nanoda (7), Padoshe (7) and Ovalye 2 (5)," the source added.
According to official figures, 109 Marathi GPSs
were operating in Sattari taluka till 2016-17 and the closure of four schools for the academic year 2017-18
has left 105 schools to operate with a total strength of 2,559 students, with 579 studying in Std 1, 620 (Std 2), 695 (Std 3) and 665
(Std 4).
As many as 118 teachers are employed at these schools and a shortage of teachers is expected in the near future, with over 10 teachers are likely to retire from service within the next two years.
