Teachers warn of RTE violation as CM Revanth proposes mass school closures

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s announcement to close 23,000 of the State’s 27,000 schools has triggered sharp criticism from teachers’ associations and educationists. Associations have demanded withdrawal of the proposal, calling it arbitrary and detrimental to rural education.

Hyderabad: Did the Chief Minister, A. Revanth Reddy comprehend the possible negative fallout of his announcement on wholesale closure of 23,000 of the 27,000 schools in the State?

The announcement, which has left many questioning the rationale, could in one stroke create a chasm for thousands of young children with their right to education and sound the death knell for the education ecosystem.

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As is said creation, in this case the massive network of education systems, is a long and arduous task while shutting it down is a rulers’ mere capricious choice.

The move to reduce the school presence in the state from 27,000 to a mere around 4,000, has raised questions about access to schools particularly in the rural region where almost all villages have a school and closing down such schools and establishing one school per cluster is expected to keep students away from the school education.

In fact, the Right Education Act mandates free and compulsory education to children between the ages of six and 14. Further, it emphasizes access to neighbourhood schools. Any move to close the schools will violate the provisions of the Act.

Meanwhile, the move did not go down well with the teacher fraternity, which questioned the rationale behind such a move.

TPTF president Chakinala Anil Kumar said closure of schools would push poor children away from education.

“When the government came to power, the Chief Minister had promised that every gram panchayat would have a school and that even closed schools would be reopened. Now, announcing school closures is inappropriate, and the government should withdraw this decision,” he said.

TPTF additional general secretary Muthyala Ravinder said instead of closing schools the government must focus on strengthening them by providing sufficient staff pattern, proper accommodation with good physical amenities.

Criticising the Chief Minister’s remarks and calling them inappropriate, unscientific, and lacking understanding of ground realities, Telangana State Primary Teachers Association said the RTE Act does not permit reducing the number of government schools to just 4,000.

The association said making controversial comments while holding a responsible constitutional office is unacceptable in a democracy.

“Education is a fundamental right of every child, and no one has the authority to deny or weaken that right. Similar education policies had previously contributed to political setbacks in the undivided state,” said Syed Shoukat Ali, president TSPTA and general secretary R. Rohith Naik.

TS UTF said it failed to understand the rationale behind such a move by the government. TS UTF president Chava Ravi, the RTE Act mandates access to education to every child in the village.

“Any move to reduce the number of schools will deprive students of their basic education. Low enrolled schools in a village could be merged but not the schools that have high enrollment. The government should implement it in a district on pilot instead of announcing it as a blanket implementation,” he added.