Calcutta :

The Bengal government has decided to install swings, slides, sea-saws and other recreational equipment in state-aided primary schools to attract more students and prevent dropouts.

But the move has also prompted questions among many education department officials on the implementation of the plan in schools that don’t have playgrounds or ample empty space.

“We want to make education more enjoyable for primary students…. Children are often deprived of games as the schools do not have the required facilities…. So we have planned to install swings, slides and other such equipment in the schools,” education minister Partha Chatterjee said in the Assembly lobby after announcing the decision in the House.

There are around 53,000 state-aided primary schools in Bengal.

In an attempt to prevent dropouts, the government has recently started distributing free shoes among students of Classes I to IV. Free textbooks and uniforms are also given to students up to Class VIII.

Minister Chatterjee also referred to the lack of space in many schools, saying the scheme would “take time” to be implemented in full.

Education department officials said scarcity of space was more acute in Calcutta schools. Although most schools in the districts have big grounds, few are equipped with recreational facilities such as swings, slides, merry-go-rounds and gyms.

“We want as many schools as possible to have such facilities…. These help in creating a conducive environment for the mental and physical development of children,” an education department official said.

Sources said the decision to set up recreational facilities in primary schools had been conveyed to authorities in most institutions.

Around 12,000 schools are said to have responded to the plan.

“The heads of many schools are still unaware of the decision. We expect a better response once the decision is communicated to all schools,” the official said.

Schools wanting to have recreational facilities on the campus have to apply to the district inspector of schools in their respective zones.

The district inspector will then conduct an inspection to ascertain what equipment can be installed. Once the district inspector approves the proposal, the government will install the facilities.

The heads of many Calcutta schools this newspaper spoke to said it was not possible for them to implement the education department’s plan.

“The move is welcome. But there is hardly any space to offer,” said the headmaster of a school in central Calcutta.

Separate panel

The government is planning to set up a separate commission to recruit non-teaching employees in state-aided schools.

The proposed commission will conduct a centralised test for recruiting the employees. But the managing committees of the schools will make the final appointments.

“We are planning to set up a central commission for recruiting non-teaching employees in state-aided schools. This will establish more transparency in the recruitment process,” education minister Chatterjee said.

At present, the West Bengal School Service Commission conducts the recruitment test for non-teaching employees.

source: http://www.telegraphindia.com / The Telegraph,Calcutta,India / Front Page> Bengal> Story / by Our Special Correspondent / Calcutta – June 27th / Pub June 28th, 2016