The Punjab government’s recent announcement to merge middle schools with high schools has drawn mixed reactions. Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains outlined the plan, which aims to address the declining student population in middle schools, with the consent of local MLAs and village sarpanches. However, the proposal is still in its early stages, and Education Department officials have been instructed to prepare ground reports on the affected schools.
Concerns Raised Over Impact on Rural Students
While the government sees the merger as a way to optimize resources, teachers’ organizations such as the Democratic Teachers’ Front (DTF) have expressed concerns. Ashwani Awasthi, district unit head of DTF, pointed out that this move could disproportionately affect disadvantaged students in rural areas. Many of these students currently walk to their middle schools, but the merger could force them to commute 5-7 kilometers to the nearest high school, a distance that may prove challenging for families lacking transport options.
The DTF also highlighted that middle schools, especially in rural areas, were originally established to provide easy access to education for underprivileged children. Forcing these students to travel further could discourage parents from sending their children to school altogether.
While the Education Minister has promised school buses for students with commuting challenges, questions remain about the affordability of this service, which would come at a minimal fee. Additionally, concerns have been raised about whether the high schools that will absorb the middle schools have adequate staff and resources to accommodate the increased number of students.
