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Monday, June 23, 2008

Mergers dropped

Hyderabad, June 22: Pressure from local politicians, teacher unions, students and their parents has forced the state to reconsider its decision on the merger and closure of government schools. The government has agreed to look into the issue on a “case-by-case” basis, and withdraw its decision if it is not in the interest of students. It has asked all district education officers (DEOs) to submit a report on the “problematic mergers” that were affecting students.
According to official sources, nearly 40 schools across the state, which were mired in controversy following mergers and closures, would be asked to continue in original form. The government has merged more than 3,000 upper primary schools in the selected 6,500 high schools across the state for the purpose of strengthening and introducing CBSE English medium from Class VI in all these high schools. The decision created uproar with politicians, teachers, students and parents, staging protests and demonstrations against the move.
“We have received several complaints on the mergers. We asked all the DEOs to look into those complaints case-by-case. If the complaints are found to be ‘genuine’, we are ready to revoke the decision,” said Mr P. Bhanu Murthy, director, school education. “In some districts, the shifting of a particular school has created problems for students. They are forced to cross unmanned railway gates and national highways,” Mr Murthy added.
(Source :DC)

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