Big crisis on the education system: School children left classrooms and took to the streets in 10 states of the country, exposing the poor system.

Pictures emerging from different states of the country are presenting a very worrying picture of the school education system. In almost 10 states including Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand, school children have taken to the streets demanding their basic needs. Student anger, usually seen in colleges and universities, is now being seen among children in primary and secondary schools as well. These students of ‘Gen Alpha’ (generation born after 2010) are forced to sit on strike not for any political demand, but to demand basic facilities like clean drinking water, working fans, solid roof and deployment of subject experts.

Huge shortage of teachers and fear of dilapidated buildings

The ground reality is that there is a huge shortage of teachers in thousands of government schools compared to the sanctioned posts. Despite the proximity of board examinations, teachers for important subjects like science and mathematics are not present. Apart from this, the condition of school buildings is so dilapidated that during the rainy season, water drips from the roofs and children have to sit, risking their lives. In many rural areas, there are not even paved roads to reach schools, due to which children stop going to school completely during the rains.

Toilets, electricity and bad mid-day meal increased resentment

According to the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE+) and various government reports, lakhs of schools in the country still lack serious infrastructure. Many schools do not have separate and functional toilets for girls. Poor quality food and unclean drinking water in the hostels of residential and Sarvodaya schools is playing havoc with the health of children. When no concrete solution was found even after repeated complaints and appeals to the authorities, the children had to take measures like blocking the highway and gheraoing the collectorate.

Growing gap between education budget and claims

Amidst the tall claims of digital education and smart classrooms, the ground reality is that the infrastructure itself is in a dilapidated state. Unless adequate teachers, safe buildings, clean drinking water and a dignified environment are provided in schools, the right to education will remain limited only on paper. Children taking to the streets is a clear indication that now education policy will have to move beyond mere slogans and work on real reforms.