QUOTA FOR GOVERNMENT SCHOOL STUDENTS

•  (Relevant for Sociology Syllabus: Paper 2- Visions of Social Change in India)
•   (Relevant for GS Syllabus: Paper1- Social empowerment.)

• Government of Odisha, in a big move, to encourage govt. schools have taken a decision to provide quota to students passed out from govt. run schools for admission in Medical, Engineering and other professional education.
• It has seen an overwhelming response from lakhs of students studying in govt. schools and their parents. When education in govt. run schools are in turmoil, this decision would certainly boost all stakeholders in the govt. school set up- teachers, students and parents.
• It has been widely accepted that govt. schools provide the worst quality education. They lack in infrastructure and proper resource management. Therefore Govt. schools have traditionally been the last option for parents as far as the admission of their wards are concerned.
• Even a lower-middle-class parent would always prefer to send her/his ward to a private school. In such a situation the decision of the govt. to provide quota for govt. school students are expected to be a very successful and effective strategy.
• Entrance examinations like NEET and JEE have been conducted at the national level for admission into Medical and Engineering courses. But it is seen that the number of students passed out from govt. of Odisha, schools are decreasing year by year.
• The reason is not that students studying in govt. schools are less talented than those who qualify, but that they don’t get enough support like good coaching, quality study materials and a study friendly atmosphere. The recent decision by govt. of Odisha will certainly boost the morale of lakhs of deprived students and help them fulfil their dream.
• of Odisha is going to implement the new quota system from the next academic session. But the final decision about how much quota is to be granted, how the beneficiary is to be selected, what are the other modalities to be adopted etc. are yet to be taken. Govt. is going to set up a committee in this regard headed by a retired high court judge and some eminent educationists which will look into all aspects of the matter and submit its report in 3 months.
• Whereas the decision has been welcomed all over Odisha, it is high time that Govt. of India also thought of the same and took a decision so as to boost govt. run schools and to minimize education business in India.