For the first time, School Education
Department, Indore has denied 163 out of total 190 received renewal
applications of affiliations for the academic session 2019-20. The move will
ensure strict actions for schools affiliated to Madhya Pradesh Education Board
and better quality education in affiliated schools.
The decision was taken by Manish Verma, Joint
Director of the department. “We did not deny the renewal abruptly; the schools
were inspected and checked for facilities required as per norms of M.P.
Recognition of Secondary and Higher Secondary School Rules, 2017,” he said.
While many MP boards have been criticised
for lacking basic facilities and requisite areas, this denial is a step towards
stern action and compulsory compliance to the norms. Along with norms for area
and facilities, the norms quote “Every school shall appoint a part time
counsellor to perform duties, of a Counsellor.”
“Schools need to beware of non-compliance
with the norms and impart quality education to the students in a healthy
atmosphere, since the action will continue next year, if more schools are found
non-complaint with the norms,” Verma said. He quoted that maximum schools,
which were denied affiliation, lacked trained teachers and good staff.
“Teachers have to meet government’s
criteria for teaching in affiliated schools, which is minimum bachelors in
education (BEd) and post graduation in requisite subject for teaching senior
classes,” Verma said. Most schools failed to have the required teachers and
hence, suffered disaffiliation.
“As per norms, a high school (till class 10th)
must have minimum 4,000 square feet area that is either owned by school or registered
rented, further 2,000 square feet out of the total area must be open area and
made into sports grounds,” Verma said. However, most schools even though had
requisite total area; they had constructed classrooms on the entire area,
leaving no space for grounds.
“In case of high secondary schools (till
class 12th), the requirements are increased, where again, we found
most schools in non-compliance,” Verma said. MP board affiliated schools are
required to provide requisite equipments in science labs, books in library,
provide safe drinking water, toiletries and other basic facilities.
“The school shall have facilities, for at
least two sports like Badminton/Table Tennis/Kabaddi/Kho-Kho/Volleyball/ Basketball,
etc. in school campus, but it seems that most schools have ignored the needs
for sports and left no open space for children,” Verma said. Further, he quoted
the importance of sports for child development.