‘Govt. should find alternative to removing students from regular schooling’
In the weeks following the Delhi government’s Directorate of Education (DoE) circular, which mandated the transfer of Class 9 students who failed twice to Open Learning schools, significant concerns have emerged from parents, teachers, and student bodies. They argue that this policy pushes students out of the mainstream education system, exacerbating economic and educational challenges as only 35% students got enrolled in open schools. It becomes not only unaffordable leading to complete drop, which the DoE intended to reverse from this move, but also impacts a students’ learning experience, as they urged to find an alternative of removing students from regular schooling.
The DoE's notice, issued on July 16, claimed that enrolling these students in the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) is an effort to reduce dropout rates. However, statistics paint a different picture. Of the 17,308 students who failed their Class 9 exams for the second time in the 2023-24 session, only 6,200 registered with the NIOS project. Parents and Teachers jointly expressed that the policy is counterproductive, leading to increased dropouts due to affordability issues and irregular class schedules, which diminish students' interest in education.
Aprajita Gautam, President of the Delhi Parents’ Association, criticized the move, stating, “This is their policy to improve the 10th pass percentage in government schools. Students attend government schools because they are free. In open schools, classes are irregular, which further disengages students from their studies.”
Pitamber, NIOS Nodal Incharge at a Delhi government school in Subash Nagar, confirmed that all seven students who failed twice had their admissions transferred to NIOS. However, one such student expressed his struggle, saying he couldn't attend classes regularly due to illness. He aspires to pursue a diploma in engineering, which costs Rs. 30,000 per semester, a significant burden for his family. His father, a daily wage labourer, voiced his concern, “We cannot even afford NIOS fees. This will make it difficult for my other children to pursue their aspirations. The government should find a solution.”
Sant Ram, a member of the Delhi Government Schools Teachers’ Association, acknowledged the policy's downsides. “Students diverted to open schools face challenges in the learning environment. They are often those who are not regular or interested in studies, but not everyone can afford open schools and their fees.”
On July 31, the Krantikari Yuva Sangathan (KYS) organized a protest at the Department of Education, GNCTD, against the alleged mass failing of students in the 8th, 9th, and 11th standards in Delhi government schools. Bhim Kumar, a member of the Delhi State Committee, KYS, emphasized, “The practice of failing students pushes them out of formal schooling and into informal institutions like NIOS and Patrachar Vidyalaya, contributing to high dropout rates.”
