SSA schemes not helping enrolment in Jaintia Hills
From Our Correspondent theshillongtimes
JOWAI: Though the SSA schemes for imparting education to children below 14 years in Jaintia Hills district seem to be yielding successes, yet a closer look will reveal that there are several schools which have been listed as ‘poor performers’. The SSA office recently closed down some Upper Primary school which had enrolments of only two or three students.
Among the schools which have been shut down in 2009 are the Nongkharai UP School and Um-Ladang UP School, while the Lapangap UP School was shut down recently this year.
The Saba-Mukroh UP School has an enrolment of only 15 students according to teachers of the school. But as per official sources, there are only 5 students and the office of the Deputy Inspector of schools has stopped issuing meals under the mid-day scheme to the school.
The Saba-Mukroh UP School was started in 2006 with only two students. In 2007, student enrolment increase by 3 but records of enrolment in 2008 were unavailable as the teachers of the schools could not remember how many students were enrolled. 12 students were enrolled in 2009 and presently 15 students are being taught by four SSA teachers. The Deputy Inspector of Schools, Jowai has also stopped mid-day meal scheme in the school.
It may be mentioned here that the SSA in Jaintia Hills has set up 240 UP Schools, 328 LP Schools and 225 EGS centres since the implementation of the scheme in 2006. “The SSA’s decision to upgrade or set up schools is normally based on the proposal made by the Cluster Resources Centre, the Block Resources Centre at the Block Level and finally by the DMC at the District level.
DMC of SSA, Chibait Lhuid, has assured to take up the matter with the Secretary of the School Managing Committee and a showcause notice has been served to the SMC secretary.
It is also alleged that DMC in Jaintia Hills District has not been able to perform his duties as the head of the SSA. The DMC is presently holding two posts at a time — DMC of SSA and lecturer at the Directorate of Education Research and Training (DERT).
Speaking to The Shillong Times Mr Lhuid clarified that he was performing his duties well though he had to work additionally as a lecturer.
“Though I have an additional job, I monitor my office well,” Mr Lhuid said, adding, “I get my salary from the DERT, and I am here with the SSA just as a honorary worker.”
