Barring high schools, attendance in upper primary sections not encouraging

Following the reopening of schools in the city last month, the percentage of attendance especially in upper primary sections made the school managements a bit worried. However, still the school managements have a reason to smile as the attendance in high school section especially in city outskirts is quite encouraging.

Following the reopening of the high school section from 1^st February last month, the strength of students in Government and Panchayat Raj schools under Rajendranagar and Gandipet mandals in Rangareddy District is bouncing back gradually with parents still having concern about the safety of their children.

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There are a total 79 schools in Rajendranagar and Gandipet mandals collectively out of which 51 are running in Rajendranagar while 28 institutions are located in Gandipet. While Rajendranagar has five government schools, the Gandipet mandal carries only one at Narsingi. The remaining schools in both the mandals are serving under the supervision of Panchayat Raj Department.

Together these mandals carry a total 14 high schools with strength of 1498 students in 9^th class and 1480 students in 10^th class. However, as on 13^th February, only 59 percent attendance has been registered in 9^th class while 10^th class students fared a little bit better with 67 percent attendance.

On the other hand the schools in Shamshabad, a mandal standing next to Rajendranagar, is performing a bit better than its neighbour with 75 to 80 percent attendance registered in 9^th class and 80 to 85 percent in 9^th class in the same period. Shamshabad mandal carries a total 71 schools out of which three are government run institutions while the remaining are Panchayat Raj schools.

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“The volume of attendance has been increased thereafter and presently the proportion stands at 65 to 70 percent in 9^th class and 75 percent in 10^th class as on 1^st March. Parents, who are well off and concerned about their children’s safety, are still walking a fine line by holding wait and watch policy while the poor parents, largely from the labour community, are sending their children to schools regularly. This makes a difference and is reflecting on the overall attendance of schools in Rajendranagar and Gandipet mandals,” informed D.Ramreddy, Incharge Mandal Education Officer Rajendranagar.

“Following the resumption of upper primary section like 6^th, 7^th and 8^th from 24^th February, the volume of attendance has little bit increased in the schools. However, much more time needed for the parents to decide and dispel their concerns about the safety of their children as the situation in neighboring states, where coronavirus cases are swelling in again, are still ticking like a time bomb,” said Prof.Ameeruddin, an academician.

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