Solutions for Reserved Category
As our group members have pointed out, the caste system, extant in
our society is an evil manifestation. However we teachers must make a conscious
effort to eliminate this. This change must start from ourselves, from within
our mind and heart. If we as teachers practice equity and fairness in our day
to day lives, our students will automatically imbibe these values from us. We
also touched upon the idea that a slow but necessary change must be brought
about in the attitudes of parents towards education. This can be done by showing
parents the importance of education and strength of unity.
Adding on to this list of solutions we suggest that rural schools
must impart knowledge through instruction in the mother-tongue.
Also discrimination against the reserved category students is a
major cause of the high drop-out rates. Three methods of reducing such
discrimination and making the school environment comfortable would be
Uniformity and Dignity of Labour. A sense of equality can be achieved when all
students irrespective of Caste, wear the same uniform provided by the school to
all students. The second method consists of imparting to all students the
Dignity of Labour, which may be achieved by participation of all students,
irrespective of caste, in maintaining cleanliness of school premises (i.e.
cleaning the classrooms and toilets) and organizing of events such as sports
day and annual day. Thirdly, the morning assembly must include prayers of all
religions and every child irrespective of caste must be taught and made to
recite the prayers.
Another solution that came up and was agreed upon during our
discussion was that teachers must make conscious efforts to create a student
friendly environment, in which every child irrespective of his/her caste feels
safe enough to pursue their desire to learn.
Solutions for Female Students
A preference for male children is another malady prevalent in the
Indian Culture. Such biased attitudes have led many, especially the rural and
economically poor groups to believe that education of girls/women is
inconsequential. However, we suggest that sensitization of parents towards
importance of girl child education is the need of the hour. Inspirational
female role models such as Sania Mirza, Saina Nehwal and Kalpana Chawla can be
used to motivate girls to attend school and retain them in schools.
Another argument we put forth is that one of the chief
reasons for female students dropping out is the lack of proper toilets. The
school must therefore construct toilets with running water and hygienic
conditions if they wish to retain female students in school after they hit
puberty.
To add to this list of solutions, we are of the opinion that girls
must be provided safe transit to and from home and school. We state this
because, very often parents, especially in rural areas are afraid to send their
girls to school because of increasing incidents of sexual abuse against girls.
There are numerous instances where girls are sexually assaulted when on the way
to or from home and school.
Another way of minimising drop-outs of female students is to
provide variety of vocational courses such as
weaving/knitting/tailoring/baking. These courses equip girls with skills which
can be used to augment their family's income.
Solutions Applicable to Both
Groups of Students
A further incentive, which is already being practised in many
parts of India, is that of the Mid-Day Meal. However, the school must maintain
quality of food served, by having various quality checks, while implementing
this incentive.
A variety of NGOs already working in the field of education could
be roped in. Volunteers of such NGOs could conduct workshops and seminars for
girls as well as for all students in general. Tie-ups with NGOs could also
provide the school with additional funding, which can be used to improve the
school infrastructure and provide better quality materials to students.
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