DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 12 (MExN): The All Nagaland Private Schools’ Association, Central, (ANPSA) today joined in with the National Independent Schools’ Alliance (NISA) to mark October 12 as a ‘Black Day’ for private schools all over the country in protest of increasing government intervention in day to day school management.
A press note from the ANPSA informed that 60,000 schools from all across India continued operations as usual on the day; however the teaching and non teaching staff wore black ribbons and put black flags at school gates and school buses. A representation was also sent to the Prime Minister.
“The Private Schools are the back bone of the nation. But their survival is being endangered through various conflicting policies which are detrimental to their well being,” the ANPSA stated. It further said that the autonomy of private schools is “constantly under threat.”
“One of the main problems with lack of autonomy is lack of motivation, restricted scope for innovation and limited scope for teachers and principals to perform at optimum levels. Autonomy of private unaided schools should be protected and enhanced,” it added.
The ANPSA observed that although 75% of students are in private schools, private schools do not have a role to play in formulating education policies. It said that the government gets to play the role of regulator, financer and provider of education all at the same time. “There are challenges to this system. The Private schools should be included in education policy formation in the States,” it asserted.
