Guwahati, July 10: Assam is taking strong measures to address the issue of “ghost schools and teachers” after successfully dealing with the problem of “ghost students,” according to Ranoj Pegu, the state’s education minister. The government has put special grants on hold for schools that have failed to provide complete information about their staff, and the salaries of such employees will be stopped within the next two months.
The term “ghost students, schools, and teachers” refers to entities that exist only on paper, created with the intention of fraudulently obtaining government funds for various purposes.
In June, during the reconciliation of enrollment figures with the previous year, approximately 4.50 lakh ghost students were detected in government and private schools across Assam.
Speaking at a press conference, Minister Pegu highlighted that over 11,000 lower and upper primary government schools have failed to provide complete data about their staff, including both teaching and non-teaching personnel, as requested by the education department. The information was supposed to be uploaded on a designated portal called “Shikshya Setu.” After comparing the provided data with the department’s records, it was found that 11,483 schools have not furnished details of all their staff.
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As a consequence, the government has decided to withhold annual school grants and sports and physical education grants for the year 2023-24 until the schools upload the complete staff details. This action aims to encourage schools to comply with the necessary requirements and ensure transparency in the education system.
The efforts to identify and eliminate ghost students in Assam have been commendable, and now the focus has shifted to addressing the issue of ghost schools and teachers. By withholding grants and salaries, the government is sending a strong message that such fraudulent practices will not be tolerated. It aims to ensure that schools provide accurate and comprehensive information about their staff, enabling effective monitoring and utilization of resources.
The identification of ghost students and the ongoing measures to tackle ghost schools and teachers reflect the government’s commitment to improving the quality of education in Assam. These actions are essential for building a robust and accountable education system that prioritizes the welfare of students and ensures the optimal utilization of resources.
Moreover, by eliminating ghost entities from the education system, the government can redirect funds and resources to where they are genuinely needed, benefiting legitimate schools and teachers who are dedicated to providing quality education to students.
However, it is crucial to ensure that the process of identifying ghost schools and teachers is conducted fairly and accurately, without adversely affecting genuine educational institutions. The authorities should establish transparent mechanisms for verification and provide support to schools in meeting the required standards and providing accurate data.
Assam’s determination to root out ghost schools and teachers demonstrate its commitment to creating a transparent and efficient education system. The measures taken to withhold grants and salaries are crucial in ensuring accountability and encouraging schools to provide complete and accurate information about their staff.
By eliminating fraudulent practices, the government aims to allocate resources effectively, promote quality education, and provide a conducive learning environment for students in Assam.
