CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government might make it mandatory for all State government employees to enroll their children only in government-run schools. School Education Minister KA Sengottaiyan had earlier said the government would announce major reforms on June 6, a day prior to reopening of schools after the summer vacation.
“More than 40 changes have been proposed and one among them is that government employees, including all staff of government schools, should enroll their children only in government schools. However, the final call will be taken only after holding discussions with the Chief Minister,” said a highly-placed government source.
Though this populist move might be hailed by a section, experts are concerned about the consequences.
“Before implementing this, the State government should ensure that there are adequate teachers serving in all government schools,” said educationist Prince Gajendra Babu, adding that otherwise it might backfire.
Notably, in 2015 the Allahabad High Court had directed all government employees in Uttar Pradesh to enroll their kids only in government schools. However, an interim stay has been granted on the order and the case is still pending.
Another major reform being mulled is not to allow government teachers to continue working in the same school for more than five years. This was to prevent government school teachers settling in their hometowns, sources said.
“By working in the same school for decades, teachers may be prone to prejudices on students in the locality which might come in the way of effective teaching process,” a School Education Department official told Express. At present, a teacher posted in a particular government school will be eligible for transfer only when he or she completes one year of service in that school.
“The State School Education Department was also planning to change this transfer policy. None would be eligible for a transfer unless they complete five years of service in the same school,” the source added.
A similar norm is already in place in Kendriya Vidyalayas, although the minimum period varies from two to five years depending on the location of the school.