The Sorry State of Education in Bihar's Government Schools
The Indian state of Bihar faces numerous challenges in providing quality education to children in government schools. Despite government efforts to improve the education system, several factors have hampered progress, and the state continues to grapple with a low literacy rate and poor quality of education in government schools.
One of the primary problems in government schools is the lack of quality education. Teachers are often untrained and unqualified, and the curriculum is outdated, making it difficult for students to learn and develop the necessary skills to succeed. Additionally, teachers are not sincere towards their duties, and many do not take their roles seriously, resulting in low motivation levels and a lack of commitment to improving the education system.
Young teachers who want to make a difference and improve the education system are often met with opposition from older teachers who are resistant to change. This resistance to change is compounded by local politics, which forces teachers to stay low-key and not perform their teaching duties to the best of their potential. As a result, the education system fails to attract talented teachers who are passionate about teaching and making a difference.
Moreover, school teachers are often engaged in various government initiatives and campaigns, which prevent them from teaching at schools. This means that students are left without proper guidance and support, leading to a further decline in the quality of education. Additionally, students are not regular in attending school, which means that they miss out on crucial learning opportunities.
In some cases, students see the mid-day meals provided at school as the only incentive for attending school. This is a reflection of the lack of quality education and the failure of the education system to inspire and motivate students to learn. The provision of mid-day meals in schools is a crucial aspect of the education system in Bihar, but it has also become a source of corruption and malpractice.
There is a lot of corruption in school management, and the school mid-day meal programmes are often marred with corruption at every level. The education program and mid-day meal serve as a source of income for government officials, elected representatives, Panchayat Mukhiya and Representatives, Mid-Day Meal Sewika, school principals, and all the people concerned. This means that the resources meant for the education system are often siphoned off, leading to a shortage of funds and a decline in the quality of education.
Even the Anganwadi Child Care Centers for kids are plagued with corruption. The Anganwadi Sewikas & Sahayikas embezzle funds and distribute much less food and materials than what they are required to, leading to a further decline in the health and nutrition of children.
In conclusion, the education system in Bihar faces numerous challenges, including a lack of quality education, unqualified teachers, corruption, and resistance to change. These challenges have contributed to a low literacy rate and a poor quality of education in government schools. Addressing these challenges will require a concerted effort from government officials, educators, and civil society groups to improve the education system and provide better opportunities for children to learn and grow.
