Access Gaps
Resource Gaps
Learning Gaps
Issues and solutions
Issue 1: Bi polarization of schools
According to the school census data in 2020, 50.55 % of schools belong to the category with 500 or below 500 students while 3.1% of schools belong to the category with more than 2000 students. It should be highly noted that there are eight National schools in the category of schools with 201 to 500 students. Two 1AB schools come under the category of schools with 101 - 200 students. This is a concern because 1 AB schools are the schools having all three subject streams; Science, Commerce and Arts in the A/L. Then there may be a few students in the A/L classes where the maintenance cost is considerably high.
Further, according to the distribution of smallest schools with student population 50 or less, it can be seen that the least number of such schools (5%) are in the Western province while the largest number (5%) is in the Northern Province. On the other hand, if the distribution of largest schools with student population above thousand is considered the largest number (29%) can be seen in the Western province and the least number (3%) is in the Northern province.
Hence, it can be observed that there is a significant difference between smallest schools and largest schools based on student population and also distribution of schools by school type.
Solution: Rationalization of schools
Suggestions and some attempts were taken time to time to minimize this severe bi polarization of schools in the general education system but failed due to many reasons. Lack of strong policy is one of the top reasons among them. If there was a strong policy with clear and justifiable criteria even political interferences could be avoided. Instead of present categorization: 1AB, 1C, type 2, type 3 and National, Provincial it can be used a category like Primary, Junior secondary and Senior secondary. Primary schools should be totally separated from the secondary level. In the senior secondary there may be two options: schools with both junior secondary (6 - 9 grades) and senior secondary (10 - 13 grades) and where ever necessary schools only with senior secondary grades.
No comments:
Post a Comment