Source:- dailypioneer.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Jharkhand \nGovernment has decided to withdraw the decisions of merger of schools \nwith low enrolment ratio of students. Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) \nlegislator from Dumri Jagarnath Mahto, who has been appointed as new \nMinister of School Education and Literacy department, has said that the \nGovernment will take back the previous government\u2019s decision to merge \nschools. Mahto is yet to assume charge as Minister.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Raghubar Das Government in 2018 had taken a decision to merge \nschools with low enrolment an exercise undertaken by Rajasthan and \nJharkhand in the country with the support of the Union Government and \nNITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog. In two phases\n the Jharkhand government merged 1200 and 4600 schools, but brakes were \napplied in third phase of merger of 6466 schools due to protest of \nopposition as well ruling parties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The minister\u2019s remark on withdrawing Raghubar Das government decision\n assumes importance as JMM has been strongly critical on merger of \nschools. The then Opposition parties comprising JMM and Congress had \nopposed the Raghubar Das Government\u2019s decision terming the decision to \ndestroy education in State. The JMM and Congress at that time had \norganized demonstration across the state. As general election was \napproaching the BJP MPs too were against Das decision, leading to all 12\n members of Parliament belonging to the ruling BJP representing \nJharkhand in the Lok Sabha opposed the Government\u2019s merging primary and \nmiddle schools in the State. The MPs, in a combined letter in 2018 \naddressed to Chief Minister Raghubar Das, spelt out several reasons in \nthe support of their demand.<\/ins><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Jharkhand government has put the merger of proposed 6,466 middle \nschools (classes 6 to 8) on hold, till the impact assessment of the \nalready merged 4,600 primary schools gets completed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meanwhile, School Education and Literacy department, Principal \nSecretary AK Singh said, \u201cThe Government can take back its decision \ntaken by the earlier government if the Cabinet gives its consent to \nwithdraw the decision.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Moreover, Minister Mahto also announced to look into the matter of \nPara teachers which includes hike in their salaries and regularization \nof service. Chief Minister Raghubar Das in his entire tenure had to face\n stir of Para teachers. The Para teachers went on 63-day long strike \nfrom November ending on January 2, 2019 after Government promised to set\n up a committee to consider their demands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The committee was set up and it also visited several states to study \nthe para-teachers\u2019 regularisation model, but the BJP Government failed \nto act on their demands. With JMM government taking shape in State the \nPara teachers is once again to intensify their demands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, Singh said that Government can take decision of Para \nteachers\u2019 demand as per draft committee prepared by earlier government. \nAlso as the matter is subjudice in Jharkhand High Court, Court\u2019s views \nis also important in Para teachers demand.<\/p>\n