A group of citizens and education activists in Gujarat has submitted a memorandum to State Education Minister Dr. Pradyumanji, expressing concern over the condition of the state’s education system and seeking urgent measures to address teacher shortages, student dropouts, inadequate school infrastructure and the growing privatisation of education.
The memorandum, submitted on November 3 under the initiative of Nisbat Nagrik Manch, also raises concerns over declining learning outcomes, the condition of schools in tribal areas and the diminishing importance of Gujarati as a medium of instruction. Copies of the memorandum have also been sent to the Governor and the Chief Minister of Gujarat.
Citing the UDISE 2024–25 report, the memorandum states that student enrolment declines from 17.18 lakh in Classes 9 and 10 to 10.92 lakh in Classes 11 and 12. This represents a reduction of approximately 6.26 lakh students, indicating that a substantial number of students do not continue their education after Class 10.
It further claims that only around 24 per cent of students entering Class 1 eventually reach higher education after completing Class 12. The proportion is reportedly lower in tribal areas, at approximately 20 per cent.
The memorandum highlights the shortage of teachers and inadequate infrastructure in government schools. It cites approximately 19,650 vacant teacher positions in primary schools and says 2,462 schools are functioning with only one teacher. It also points to a shortage of 19,128 classrooms, 2,574 schools in dilapidated condition and 7,599 schools operating from temporary structures without proper roofs.
According to the memorandum, the number of government schools has declined by 542 over the past decade, while private schools have increased by 1,745. It also draws attention to the absence of computer laboratories and qualified computer teachers in thousands of schools, along with pending appointments of physical education, art and music teachers and librarians.
On learning outcomes, the signatories express concern that many students in Class 8 are reportedly unable to read textbooks meant for Class 2 or perform basic mathematical calculations. They have called for measures to improve the quality of primary education and strengthen the functioning of government schools.
The memorandum gives particular attention to education in tribal areas, calling for improvements in the infrastructure and functioning of Ashram schools. It also raises concerns about child malnutrition and the consequences of school dropouts for children's access to the Mid-Day Meal Scheme.
Questioning the increasing dependence on private schools, the citizens' group has called for strengthening government educational institutions and ensuring adequate public investment in education. It points out that although the commitment to allocate 6 per cent of GDP to education has been repeatedly stated, actual expenditure remains considerably lower.
The memorandum puts forward 18 recommendations, including filling all vacant teacher positions permanently within three months, providing adequate classrooms and basic facilities in every government school, and relieving teachers of non-teaching responsibilities so that they can concentrate on education.
It also calls for identifying every child who is out of school and ensuring admission and continued education. The signatories have demanded that every child should have access to a government or grant-in-aid school within one kilometre of their residence.
Among other recommendations, the memorandum seeks a halt to the expansion of private schools and measures to strengthen government institutions. It also proposes that children of government employees, teachers and elected representatives should study in government schools.
On the language of instruction, it recommends making Gujarati the primary medium of education in the state while ensuring adequate teaching of other languages. It also calls for computer laboratories and qualified computer teachers in every school, with computer education made compulsory from Classes 8 to 12.
The signatories have sought improvements in tribal and Ashram schools, effective functioning of School Management Committees with meaningful participation of parents and teachers, and stricter regulation of private schools, including implementation of fee regulation mechanisms.
The memorandum further demands that education spending be raised to at least 6 per cent of GDP and that education be made free and compulsory from Class 1 to Class 12. It also advocates reducing excessive academic pressure on children in their early years and regulating private tuition classes to prevent them from interfering with the functioning of schools.
The signatories have stressed the need for greater public accountability and time-bound government intervention to address inequalities in access to quality education.
The memorandum has been signed by Prof. Kishorbhai Desai, Ravindrabhai Parekh, Arunbhai Solanki, Prof. Maheshbhai Pandya, Bhavnaben Ramrakhiyani, Prof. Piyush Bhatt and Dev Desai.
Issued by Dev Desai on behalf of Nisbat Nagrik Manch, the memorandum urges the Gujarat government to treat the condition of the state's education system as an urgent public concern and take concrete steps to safeguard the educational future of children.
Comments