CUDDALORE: Pointing to the facilities like computers, activity-based learning and library among other things, government school teachers in the region have begun lobbying with parents to enrol their children in government schools. Despite their efforts, they seem to be fighting a losing battle as more parents opt for private institutions.
“We started door-to-door canvassing in villages from the month of April. Teachers have met parents at their houses during which they asked them to put their children in government schools. But most of the parents prefer private schools even though they do not have adequate money,” said a primary school headmaster, who wished to remain unnamed. Teachers do talk to parents about the facilities available but in the end choose to enrol their children to private schools by even taking loan, said a headmaster.
The teachers organize students rallies and praise the newly-joined students by garlanding them. Inspite of all that, only an average of 10 students have joined first standard in one government primary school. “Most of the parents want their children to study in English medium schools,” said another primary school teacher.