AAP Government's Struggles in Transforming Delhi's Education Sector: A Reality Check

While the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi likes to tout their educational reforms, the reality is far from rosy. This article provides a detailed analysis of the challenges faced by the AAP government in improving primary and pre-primary education in the city.

Introduction

The 10th of February marked the fourth anniversary of the Aam Aadmi Party Government in Delhi, which took power with the largest mandate since the establishment of the Delhi legislative assembly. Since then, the state government has consistently claimed significant improvements in the education sector through various PR campaigns and advertisements in mainstream media. However, a critical assessment reveals a different picture.

The Funding Conundrum

Pre-primary and primary education in Delhi are primarily the responsibility of local bodies, notably the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). The effectiveness of these local bodies heavily depends on the financial support from the Delhi state government. Unfortunately, the current scenario paints a grim picture, with continuous funding cuts and delayed releases negatively impacting MCD schools.

Budget Cuts and Delayed Releasing of Funds

The allocated budget for South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) schools has been slashed from Rs. 89 crore to just Rs. 46 crore, showing a significant decline of nearly 50% from the expected amount. Additionally, the state government delays the fund releases until very close to the financial year end, making it challenging for civic bodies to utilize the funds effectively.

Impact on School Enrolments

The reduced funding has led to a significant decline in primary school enrolments. Enrollment rates in SDMC schools dropped by 17,535 in 2017-18 compared to 2016-17. Despite the efforts of civic bodies to improve schools using limited resources, such as smart classrooms and extra classes, the lack of funds has hampered these initiatives.

Teacher Shortages and Rectal Disciplinary Issues

The state government has not filled over 5,000 vacant teacher positions, leading to an teachers-to-student ratio of 80-90:1 in some schools, way above the RTE requirement of 35:1. There is also a freeze on hiring specialized computer teachers. Furthermore, the State government has not cleared the salary dues of nearly 13,000 North and East MCD teachers for over six months, forcing the Delhi High Court to intervene.

Declining Infrastructure Quality

The infrastructure at MCD and SDMC schools is deteriorating due to delayed releases of funds for capital expenditure. For instance, 5,000 students in 14 schools are forced to sit on floors, while 44 schools lack Jal Board water connections. Schools in North MCDA face similar issues with 40,000 students. Only 14 schools have campus facilities, and there are no ceiling fans or necessary heating amenities in many schools, leading to increased dropout rates.

Sanitation and Dropout Rates

The lack of basic infrastructure, such as proper sanitation facilities, has not only increased dropout rates but also discourages students from attending schools. A study by the Praja Foundation highlighted a major rise in dropout rates in MCD schools since the AAP government came to power. Approximately 100,000 students have dropped out, and the estimated dropout percentage rate is 6% for SDMC schools. Even more concerning is the fact that in 2016-17, 53,100 students enrolled with the primary schools in three municipal corporations were not attending academic sessions for up to two years.

The Perspective of Arvind Kejriwal and Petty Politics

While Arvind Kejriwal attributes his lack of progress to the central government, it is his own administration that is responsible for the setbacks in primary education. Despite claiming to have made Delhi a top-class city, the AAP government's policy of nipping and tucking the education system through schemes like Buniyaad has failed to address the core issues. These PR exercises, without addressing the underlying problems, are unlikely to bring about significant improvements.

Conclusion

The reality check on the education sector in Delhi shows that despite the claims of transformative policies, the AAP government's efforts have fallen short. To truly rejuvenate the education system, more substantive measures and consistent funding are essential. The government needs to address the core issues of infrastructure, teacher recruitment, and salary payments to ensure that every student has the opportunity to receive a quality education.