To
Shri Arvind Kejriwal,
Delhi Chief Minister
New Delhi
23.05.2015
Sub: revoke the cruel decision to detain 9th failed students – give them a chance
Dear Chief Minister,
We are extremely alarmed by the fact that large numbers of children of Class IX have been failed this year, many for the second time. These children have been attending school regularly for so many years and with expectations and aspirations to make a better life, with their parents reposing full faith in the public education system and the government to fulfill the Right to Education it has promised them. But the state has failed in its responsibility to do justice to the years they have spent in its schools, and has not ensured that they get a learning environment, for meaningful learning. Last year many of them had been failed but went again to the same class, despite the humiliation and demotivation, hoping that the second time their schools might take better care of them. But that was not to happen. They will tell you how even extra classes were taken very casually and non-seriously, and no one took responsibility for their learning. Many of their parents paid extra for tuition, from out of their meager wages, but unqualified tutors could not compensate for what was the task of trained government teachers. Moreover, what goes in the name of teaching and assessing is only promoting rote memorisation, without encouraging them to make sense or think for themselves. Their classrooms are often over crowded, dismal and poorly furnished, and the fact that they have gone to school year after year shows the hope and trust reposed in the system.
On behalf of thousands of such children there is one earnest request to you. They hope you will improve their schools and the learning environment as your government has promised to do. However, those who have been failed do not want their life chances to be snatched from them because of a system that did not care. Please revoke the cruel decision to detain them. Give them the best Special teachers for Special Classes, especially for challenging subjects like math and English in which many were failed, for the next two months. They will come for 4-5 hours a day, will work hard if the teachers take them seriously and inspire confidence. After the government is confident that they have been given the best possible Special Enrichment, it can take a supplementary exam in early August.
They ask very little from your government. Just a fair chance so that their lives are not made hopeless at this young age, through a callous system that has not given them their right to learn, with meaning, creativity, care and respect.
This is crucial age and a little support can make or break them.
Hoping you care for these children, most of whose parents have reposed faith in your government, and have invested all they have in the future of their children.
It is informed that tomorrow i.e. Sunday 24.05.2015 at 10 am, students and parents in large number are coming to your residence at flag Staff Road, Civil Lines, Delhi to protest against the failure on the part of Delhi Government to consider the case of the 9th failed students.
Sincerely,
Ashok Agarwal, Advocate
National President, AIPA
M-09811101923
No comments:
Post a Comment