The stakeholders in the Sarlahi district of Nepal are calling for the Municipal Education Committee to merge the community schools with low enrollment numbers in order to improve the overall development and quality of education in the area. According to Sunil Kushwaha, a Technical Assistant in the Education Development and Coordination Unit of Sarlahi, there are 478 government and community schools in the district, with a total of 2388 teacher positions, 478 school assistant attendants, 86 school support staff, and 108 teachers hired from private sources. However, despite the large number of personnel, the quality of education in both the government and community schools is said to be deteriorating and in need of improvement.
One of the reasons for the poor quality of education is the mismatch between the number of teachers and students in some schools, which results in a lack of improvement in teaching and education in public schools. Bimalkant Jha, a former principal, suggests merging schools with low enrollment numbers according to the Teacher Vacancy Matching and Procedures Guide 2076. Despite significant investments in the education sector by the government, the citizens are dissatisfied with the lack of progress in improving the quality of education.
In order to address the issues in the education system, Chief District Officer Indradev Yadav emphasizes the importance of regular monitoring by the local government to improve the schools and hold accountable those teachers who do not come to work. Additionally, families who can afford it are opting to send their children to private schools, which highlights the need for improvement in the public schools to provide equal opportunities for all children.
Key Findings
- Low Enrollment in Community Schools: There are over 10 community schools in the Sarlahi district of Nepal, but many have a low number of students, and some have no students at all.
- Mismatch of Teachers and Students: The poor quality of education in public schools is due to a mismatch between the number of subject teachers and students.
- Deteriorating Quality of Education: Despite the large number of personnel in the 478 government and community schools in the district, the quality of education is said to be deteriorating and in need of improvement.
- Call for Merger of Schools: Stakeholders are calling for the Municipal Education Committee to merge the community schools with low enrollment numbers to improve the overall development and quality of education.
- Dissatisfaction with the Education System: Despite government investments in the education sector, the citizens are dissatisfied with the lack of progress in improving the quality of education, leading some families to send their children to private schools.
- Need for Monitoring and Accountability: To address the issues in the education system, the local government must regularly monitor and hold accountable those teachers who do not come to work.
