Where are the libraries in schools?
While many students may have enjoyed
'reading day' in their schools to celebrate the birth of Dr Kalam, yesterday,
not all of them were privileged enough thanks to a lack of libraries in schools
When
schools are asked to celebrate Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam's birth anniversary by
observing it as Vaachan Prerna Diwas or Reading Day, it would be nice (not to
mention logical) if these schools had a library. A 2015-2016 District
Information System for Education (DISE) report of Elementary Education Trends
shows that only 82.7% schools in India and 96% schools in Maharashtra have a
library. DISE records, which also contain details like the number of
classrooms, toilets, laboratories and libraries in schools, highlight that
while many schools do not have libraries constructed by the school, those
schools that do have libraries, do not have librarians to guide its students.
When
it comes to Mumbai, 1,213 Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation schools don't have
a proper library or a librarian, but have shelves with 200 books for students
to read. Education activists, however, claim that the books are under lock and
key and are unavailable to students. Mahesh Palkar, Education Officer, BMC,
says, "While other schools have 20,000 books and a librarian for their
students, we have a shelf in every school with 200 books and teachers remove
the books for students during the reading period. Out of 1,213 schools, only
six do not have a library; but funds have been arranged and now, even those
schools have been provided with books and shleves."
Contrary
to Palkar, Ramesh Joshi, General Secretary, Shikshak Sabha states that BMC
schools have books, but "the shelf on which these books are kept is
supervised by the head master of the school. Due to the fear that students
might tear or lose books if they are given access to them in class or to take
home, school principals keep the books locked away. If a page is missing from a
book, it's the principals who are answerable to the education officer. So while
the education department is encouraging students to observe Vaachan Prerna
Diwas, our students from BMC schools are not that privileged to pick books to
read during a free period."
For
night-school students, it's a different story. Rahul Suvarna, Advocacy Manager,
Masoom states "Unfortunately night-school students, whom Masoom works for,
don't get the benefit of reading in a library like day-school students, as no
library is available. However, Masoom provides each night school with 15,000
books, which are kept in one cupboard for students to read. A resource library
centre, which has facilities for documentaries and e-books, has been started by
a library in Dadar for these students and their teachers."
Regards
Pralhad Jadhav
Senior Manager @ Library
Khaitan & Co
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