Senior AamAadmi Party leader Mr. Manish Sisodia, on Wednesday launched a fresh attack against the BhartiyaJanata Party (BJP) on the issue of massive shutdown of government schools in BJP ruled states. He also shared the critical elements of the education model established by the AAP government in Delhi and challenged the BJP to share good outcomes if any, in the education sector in the BJP ruled states of India. Mr. Sisodia also revealed that enrolment of students in Delhi govt schools has increased in the last five years, whereas it has witnessed a huge decrease in the MCD schools, administered by the BJP. Mr. Sisodia also pointed out that according to the Central Government data on elementary education, there is a huge decrease in the number of student enrolments in MCD schools and the govt schools of BJP ruled states and challenged the BJP to present their policy decisions and their resultant outcomes for MCD schools and those in other BJP ruled states.
"This election in Delhi will be fought on the basis of real work. AAP National Convenor Mr. ArvindKejriwal and all other leaders are taking the report card of the AAP government to the people. Education has been our priority, in the 5 years that we have governed Delhi. Today I want to expose BJP's lack of any model of education whatsoever and compare it with our clearly visible model of education. I will present the upgrade of infrastructure in the education sector in Delhi and also a comparative data available in the public domain about student enrolment in Delhi govt schools under the jurisdiction of MCD and that of a few other BJP and Congress ruled states, " said Mr. Sisodia.
He recalled the pathetic and distressing condition of classrooms when the AAP assumed power and said the sights that greeted one in any govt. school were dinghy classrooms ridden with cobwebs, broken benches and windows, dilapidated and peeling walls, outdated black boards and about 130 to 140 children packed into a single classroom. In other words, not even the minimum classroom infrastructure or environment necessary for a real and tangible educational experience were present. "I remember one particular classroom of a Delhi government school which had 174 students stuffed into a room. Forget about getting an education, they had no space to even stand, let alone sit" he said.
Mr. Sisodia asserted, "Under the AAP government, 20,000 class-rooms have been constructed, of which 8000 have already been handed over and 12000 are under construction, an equivalent of 500 schools. The AAP government has invested significantly in infrastructure, ensuring green boards in all classrooms and installing 7.5 lakh modular desks in classrooms, apart from world-class sports facilities in schools. The AAP govt has built a total of 25 new school buildings, 30 are under construction, 6 Schools of Excellence and 5 RajkiyaPratibhaVikasVidyalayas are thriving and transforming the live of the children of Delhi. We can confidently say that Delhi now has several government schools with better infrastructure than private schools."
MrSisodia narrated how upgrade of infrastructure and a complete revamp of the educational experience in the Delhi government schools has boosted the morale of teachers and students alike, lending them self-respect, dignity and greater confidence.
Exposing the BJP's disdain and apathy towards the education system which is causing the shutdown of a large number of government schools in other states, MrSisodia said, " The Haryana govt shut down 208 govt schools between 2015-2018 and in the same period, the Rajasthan government had closed down 4000 schools. The state of the erstwhile BJP- Akali ruled Punjab is no better, with 217 govt schools shutting down in the last 3 years. In UP, it's a shocking and heart wrenching state of affairs, where more than 40% of a total 1,13,500 primary schools, do not have supply of electricity and children are forced to attend classes in these pathetic conditions. In Delhi, 109 primary schools have been shut down by the BJP ruled MCD in the last 9 years, with the number going down from 1764 in 2011-12 to 1655 in 2019-20. The quality of education delivered in MCD schools is so poor and the lack of grade level learning so evident, that when children pass out from grade 5 and join a Delhi govt school in grade 6, they are unable to read even the books of grade 2. "
MrSisodia also shared comparative data on declining enrolment figures in BJP ruled MCDs over the years the increase in enrolment in Delhi government schools "Enrolment in MCD schools has declined by 1.3 lakhs in the last 4 years (2015-16 to 2018-19) whereas the enrolment in Delhi govt schools has increased by 6,000 in the last 4 years. Effectively, this means around 1.36 lakh students from private schools have joined Delhi govt schools, after the parents have witnessed the significant transformation of the schools administered by the Delhi govt. The enrolment in elementary schools in BJP and Congress-ruled states has decreased in the last 4 years – a decrease of 14 lakhs in UP, 4.2 lakhs in Haryana and 1.03 lakhs in Punjab. This data is derived from the Central govt data on elementary education." said MrSisodia.
He also shared details of the investment made in upgradation of sports infrastructure in Delhi govt schools. He also highlighted the decision taken to encourage budding sportspersons, with an increased budget for sportspersons, ranging from 16 lakhs for those competing at national level to 5 crores for those performing at Commonwealth and world level games. "At the local level too, we have increased the sports infrastructure. Delhi now has four synthetic athletics tracks, 4 more are nearing completion and 3 synthetic hockey turfs and 2 synthetic football grounds are ready. 6 state of the art swimming pools are ready and 9 more are nearing completion. We have also constructed 2 synthetic basketball courts, with 2 more on the anvil. 2 sports hostels with training facilities are nearing completion and an archery field and a synthetic volleyball court are also getting ready. Without these basic training facilities, you cannot expect youngsters from other states to come and attain world class standards" said MrSisodia.
Mr. Sisodia summed up by saying that on one hand is the innovation and dedication of the AAP govt, resulting in clear and visible outcomes and on the other is sheer apathy and disdain displayed by the BJP, in delivering education to the children in BJP ruled states. The public has been watching everybody's performance and they know who has worked and who hasn't. This time, the vote will be a decisive one, for real work and outcomes.
Numbers at a glance:
Numbers of schools closed down and other related statistics:
– Haryana: 208 government schools closed in 2015 to 2018
– Rajasthan: 4000 schools closed in 2015 to 2018
– Punjab: 217 schools closed in 3 years
– Uttar Pradesh: Out of 1,13,500, 40% do not have electricity connection.
– Delhi MCD: 109 primary schools closed in 9 years
– In MCD school, from 2015 to 2018, child enrolment decreased by 1.3 lakh.
Sports facility of Delhi govt:
• 4 Synthetic Athletics track ready, 4 more nearing completion
• 3 synthetic Hockey Turf ready
• 2 synthetic football grounds ready
• 3 Swimming pools ready, 6 more getting ready
• 2 Synthetic Basketball Courts ready, 2 more getting ready
• 2 Sports Hostel with training Facility, 1 Archery Field and 1 Synthetic Volleyball Ground getting ready.
