A survey conducted by Tulsipur Sub-metropolis shows that 91 percent of public school teachers have enrolled their children in private schools. The survey was conducted among 9150 students of 70 public schools and 18916 students of 69 private schools in the sub-metropolis.

Commentators say the statistics show the public school teachers’ loss of faith in their own profession.

“The data shows the disproportionate distribution of students among public and private schools and the deteriorating faith of people in public schools,” said Shishir Khanal, chair of Teach for Nepal. “About 50 percent of children from peasant communities are enrolled in public schools, which makes one think if public schools are for the children of farmers only.”

Moreover, the teaching process and its quality in public schools pale in comparison with its private counterpart, with students of public schools performing most poorly in Mathematics and English. In public schools, the teaching outcome in English is measured at 0.72 percent, in contrast to 7.64 of private schools. Meanwhile, in Maths, the data is 0.61 percent in public schools and 5.46 in private schools.

The only thing where public schools outclass private ones is when it comes to abuse for performing poorly.

According to the survey, 53 percent of students in public schools and 68 percent in private schools are abused for performing poorly.

Further, the survey shows that 33 percent of students in private schools take tuition classes outside of regular lessons, compared to 10 percent in public schools. Only 33 percent of the students who participated in the survey said they read books outside of the designated curriculum.

The survey was conducted by 120 volunteers who visited the schools. The volunteers asked a set of questions via mobile applications.

“We found a great desire to study among the students, but what is lacking is a favourable environment,” said Ankur Uprety, one of the volunteers involved in the survey.

Mayor of Tulsipur Sub-metropolis Ghanashyam Pandey said his office will move ahead, keeping in mind the suggestions and cues from the survey.

“The survey has shown the real face of our education standards,” Pandey said. “There is a lot to improve. We will increase the budget allocated for education and put result-oriented efforts.”

Photo caption: Students in Ambikeshwari Public School in Tulsipur-12.