BHOPAL: Admissions in government schools have been opened and this year an increased rush for admissions is observed in the government schools. Parents term it as an impact of Covid. Unable to afford fees of the private schools, several parents have queued up at the government schools.
"My daughter is studying in class 9 in a private school in Kolar area. Despite government orders, the school didnít provide any reprieve in the fee, rather they hiked the fee," said Devendra Dubey, parent whose daughter is studying in class 9 and son in class 6.
Dubey, working in a private company said that he was on the verge of losing job but compromised with a severe salary cut. The company reasoned loss due to the pandemic.
"After salary cut, my family remains hand to mouth. There are good government schools in the city like the Excellence School and Model School. I think my children can make their future in these schools as well," he said.
Dubey is not the only one, withdrawing his children from private school and shifting them to a government school. There are hundreds of parents, whose earnings have been severely hit due to the pandemic and they are thinking along the same lines.
"I know dozens of people who are now looking for good government schools in their neighbourhood. Their incomes have hit a severe blow due to Covid," said Prabodh Pandya, state general secretary of Palak Mahasangh.
Government should have taken steps to control private schools. Despite court order and government instructions, private schools have been increasing fees and harassing the parents, he added. Principal of Excellence School, Sudhakar Parashar said that more than normal rush could be seen for admission this year.
Another official from the school education department said that he too has received reports that parents are approaching the government schools. He said that besides Govt Subhash Excellence School, Model School in TT Nagar is also preferred by parents. Moreover, Govt Kamla Nehru Girls Higher Secondary School, Boys Higher Secondary School near the station and Sarojini Naidu School are also turning out to be favourite of the parents.
School fee unaffordable
†Dr Pradeep Mukhraiya is a BHMS doctor in a private hospital. His son studies in class 8 in a prestigious school on the outskirts of Bairagarh. ìI am trying for admission at Govt Model School TT Nagar for my son. I am left with no other option as the schoolís fee has increased† and is impossible to afford,î said Mukhraiya.
Devendra Soni, a resident of the old city, is in a private job. He remained without a job for more than four months. His son is in class 11 and he too finds government school as a better option.
Ghanshyam Dubey does accounts work and has several clients. His daughter is in class 9. He visits Govt Kamla Nehru School almost every day to update him about the admission for his daughter.
