VARANASI - Girls do better than boys in studies

FROM TOI

VARANASI: It seems that the girls of the city are doing far better than boys in the field of education. According to Census 2011, the increase in average literacy rate of males in Varanasi is 7.25% while the female literacy rate of the city has increased by 15.15%. 

May it be primary level education, middle school or Intermediate colleges, the enrollment of girls is increasing along with regularity in attendance and exam results. According to principal Roshan Ara of primary school in Dhoopchandi, as many as 204 girls study in the school as compared to 181 boys. 

Similarly, Poonam Devi (name changed), Shiksha Mitra at Dhelwariya primary school confirms that 60% of total students are girls. At various self financed colleges, the vocational training like stenography, painting, sewing and computer education has also become increasingly popular. 

While girls outshine boys in the enrollment, regularity and results at government schools of the city, lack of basic facilities, drinking water, sanitation at primary schools, better facilities and infrastructure has reduced the quality of education provided by middle and intermediate colleges.

According to Mita Banerjee, lecturer of physics at Government Girls Inter College (GGIC), students find private schools better as they find facilities provided by private schools much better which is why government schools are not able to produce quality students. 

Vandana Bajpayee, assistant teacher at a primary school at Nati Imli, complains that the lack of arrangements of uniform for boys increases the tendency of mischief among them. 

"They leave their house to come to school but often get engaged in notorious activities. As there are no uniforms, it becomes difficult to recognise them," says Vandana. 

"Proper drinking water facility and toilets are not good here," says Seema, a class two students of primary school of Khajuri, Pandeypur. 

According to a survey conducted by Sahbhagi Shiksha Kendra (SSK) in Cholapur block of the district it was revealed that about 76% schools had water facility, hand up and taps, out of which 25% hand pumps were not functioning, water quality of the schools is not drinkable in some schools, and waterlogging near the water points was a common observation in many schools. The toilet facility was unavailable in most of the schools and little attention was given to the cleanliness of the toilets in primary and middle schools. 

"While most of the children find private schools, which are mushrooming the gullies and streets, much better in basic facilities, many students end up being dropouts," said a shiksha mitra from Badi Bazaar area who wished not to be named. 

According to basic shiksha adhikari Suryabhan, "there is no such issue and if a need arises, we investigate the matter." 

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's message that was meant to be read out to students at schools on National Education Day on Friday was taken for granted by the school committees of most of the government schools. Basic shiksha adhikari Suryabhan said he had issued the circular to various schools, the school authorities however did not bother for any formal reading of the letter. 

It should be mentioned here that National Education Day is celebrated every year on November 11 to commemorate the birth anniversary of great freedom fighter and the first union education minister of independent India, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. It is being celebrated from last three years. Though, the Central government has asked all schools to observe the day by organising cultural events like drama, poetry competition, debates, city's schools seemed least bothered about it. 

However, a seminar on 'Maulana Azad and Nationalism' was organised by NGO Vishal Bharat Sansthan to observe the day. Nazneen Ansari (22), was felicitated on the occasion for contribution in the field of education and helping street children to study. Nazneen is pursuing her post graduation from the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and is the only educated person in her community of 1000 members. Street children who are associated with the organisation for education took pledge to pursue higher education.