Attendance in primary schools falls short of mandatory 50%

PRAYAGRAJ, March 21 (HS): After almost a year, the state government-run primary schools reopened on March 1. However, the teaching-learning remained affected with majority of parents still wary of sending their children to schools. In majority of the primary schools in Prayagraj division, the attendance of students failed to exceed 50 percent in the past three weeks.

Teachers believe that the state government’s decision of promoting students sans examination last year has given false hope to parents that similar exercise is in the offing this year too. This is the most proximate reason for low attendance. The exam schedule has been rolled out with the entire process kicking off on March 25 and curtains will be drawn over on March 31 with distribution of results.

The primary schools in UP are following the alternate day roster plan for students attending the classes. For example, students of Class 1 are required to come to school on Monday and Wednesday. And students of Class 2 on Tuesday and Thursday. Student of each class is required to come to school for three days in a week.

District president of primary teachers’ association said, “The attendance in any of the primary schools has not exceeded 50 percent ever since the schools reopened. The state government has taken the decision to promote the students without examination. Besides, the roster plan for attending classes is a reason behind low attendance. Parents are also not interested in sending kids to school.” Basic Shiksha Adhikari Prayagraj, Sanjay Kumar Kushwaha while speaking to HS said, “Following the state government orders, regular classes are taking place as per the roster plan. The attendance of students is low in majority of the schools. The state directives mention that students cannot be mandated to come to school.”