Meri News | 10 September 2016
Delhi High Court has issued a notice to all the Municipal Corporations as well as the Directorate of Education to file their replies by the next hearing date while hearing a petition filed by India's leading think tank, Centre for Civil Society (CCS) demanding Chunauti 2018 to be extended to primary classes as well.
The next date of hearing is 28 November 2016. The current scheme - Chunauti 2018 prescribes assessments and supplementary learning interventions only for children of classes VI to IX.
The recent assessment conducted by the Delhi Government of sixth graders found that 74% students were unable to read or write basic text of Hindi, indicating huge learning deficits accrued during primary classes.
Prashant Narang, Advocate with iJustice, who argued the matter said, "Right to Education has been reduced to right to schooling. The current emphasis is on buildings, teachers and toilets rather than learning. Assessment showed huge learning deficits and government knows it very well. RTE places a legal obligation on the government, local authority and teachers to ensure learning through assessments and targeted learning intervention. Not only for middle classes, but for primary classes as well."
Chunauti 2018 academic plan announced by The Directorate of Education lays down the framework to assess and mentor the students of classes VI-IX to bring their performance at expected levels. The schools ought to undertake targeted learning interventions and supplementary measures for the academically weaker students, as required.
It has been observed in the past that the children from government schools reaching secondary grade levels have huge learning deficits. Unfortunately, the plan completely excludes children of primary classes
The Centre for Civil Society works to advance social change through public policy. The major thrust is on the education sector at the primary level.
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