New Delhi, Nov 19: The state government is considering the possibility of including class VIII in the primary education department. As of now, students from class I to VII come under this section.
The move comes in the backdrop of implementation of Right to Education Bill passed by the Central Government recently. According to the Bill, education to children in the age group of 6 to 14 is compulsory and free. A primary meeting to discuss the ways of implementation of the Bill was held in Mumbai on Wednesday.
Secretary of school education department Sanjay Kumar confirmed that a meeting was held however, he refused to divulge any details. “The cabinet will take a decision regarding this,” he said.
According to sources, class VIII is supposed to go to primary education department, as it will be easier to implement the Right to Education for schoolchildren between 6 and 14 years of age. “A child goes to class I when he/she is 6 years old that means in class VIII, a child is 14. If all these students come under one department, it will be easier to implement the bill,” said the source.
However, some administrative changes have to be made in the present system. At present, teachers in primary schools should be able to teach all the subjects. In class VIII, as the level of science and mathematics goes higher, only specialised teachers can handle these subjects.
“Looking at the number of students, that goes into lakhs, the government will have to think of the alternative arrangements of teachers,” said the source.
–Agencies