Editor,
I wish to draw the urgent attention of the state government and the public to the deteriorating state of government schools in Arunachal Pradesh. It is a matter of grave concern that despite massive state investments, the quality of education in public schools has hit rock bottom.
We are faced with a deep paradox: government school teachers are highly qualified, well-trained, and well-paid. In contrast, many private school teachers lack comparable qualifications or competitive salaries. Yet, private school students consistently outperform their government school counterparts, receiving a far superior education.
Why does this disparity exist? The answer boils down to intention, accountability, and a sense of ownership. In private institutions, responsibility is strictly enforced. In our government schools, however, a sense of apathy has taken root. The most glaring evidence of this hypocrisy is the fact that government teachers and education officials themselves prefer to send their own wards to private schools, rather than the very institutions they serve.
Poor infrastructure is frequently cited as a defence for this failure, but this is merely a convenient excuse. True education transcends brick and mortar; knowledge can be effectively shared even without formal shade or shelter, provided the teacher has the dedication and the will to teach.
To rectify this systemic failure, the Government of Arunachal Pradesh must implement a bold and mandatory law. It must be made compulsory for all teaching and non-teaching staff within the education department – from assistant teachers and senior teachers, right up to the deputy director of school education – to enrol their own children in government schools.
This is the most pragmatic solution to overhaul our state’s education system. When the children of the educators and policymakers are sitting in government classrooms, the quality of teaching, discipline, and administration will transform overnight. Once the standard of public schools improves, the general public will naturally regain faith in the system, choosing government schools over expensive private alternatives.
The education minister must take this issue with the utmost seriousness. If implementing such a mandate is deemed impossible, then the minister must present a better, immediate, and concrete solution to salvage the public education system. If the leadership cannot ensure quality education for the common masses, then stepping down and making way for more capable leadership is the only honourable course of action.
It is time we held our educators and leaders accountable. Our children’s futures depend on it.
Musa Bhaiya