Frustrated Parents and Teachers Rally for Education Reform Ahead of Maharashtra Elections
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Issues related to the education policy in the state of Maharashtra can have much to do with future elections taking place in the assembly.
Tattered school uniforms, pangs of hunger that may disrupt lessons at times and schools inaccessible—these concerns plague educational institutions across the state of Maharashtra and have much to do with playing a significant influence in future assembly elections. Parents, as well as teachers, are voicing their concern, believing their only pathway to change lies in the ballot box.
Over the past two to three years, waves of discontent have been mounting among parents, teachers, and students-all of which emanate from various changes in education policy that have disrupted learning and adversely affected student well-being. With more than 1 lakh government and government-aided schools in the state -80% of which follow Marathi-medium-this portends far-reaching implications for the majority of the student population.
The most detested policies are the contentious ‘One State One Uniform’ directive, high requirements of Aadhaar in regard to their enrollment for students, changes to the midday meal scheme, and changes to the syllabi. These have been interpreted as affecting the quality and experience of the educational institution.
Ramakant Lungare is an anguished parent belonging to Nashik district. He laments, “It is very difficult to assure my children that they would get good uniforms, good teachers, and good food. They are deprived of all due to changes in government policies.” His words echo what most families say-that their children’s education environment has deteriorated and left them frustrated and apprehensive about the future.
The ‘One State One Uniform’ policy has been criticized as not feasible as most families find it hard to afford the set uniforms. This means inequality is perceived among the students in schools. Another criticism comes from the shift of the midday meal scheme that was intended to supply nutrient food to schoolchildren, as some have pointed out inconsistencies in the meal prepared that are exacerbating hunger issues in classrooms.
As these frustrations pile up, parents and teachers are preparing for the elections to advocate for a re-evaluation of these policies. Many consider the election as a prime opportunity to voice their grievances and demand change that will directly affect the education and well-being of their children.
This may well keep the election challenges to the education sector with candidates as they balance between pressing needs of their constituents for meaningful reforms. Growing voices from parents and educators may soon reverberate at the ballot box for the state’s education policies in Maharashtra.