Ranchi: The state unit of Students’ Federation of India (SFI) will launch an audit of govt schools on Monday to assess their functioning and compare ground realities with official claims.As part of the exercise, SFI members will conduct sample surveys in at least 10 schools each in all 24 districts. The findings will be compiled into a report and released at a Chhatra Sammelan scheduled for Oct. The report, along with policy demands, will subsequently be submitted to state govt.The survey, initially planned for Sept 1, was deferred owing to festivals and Teachers’ Day celebrations.SFI state convener Danish said the audit was aimed at examining the condition of state-run educational institutions and assessing whether govt claims matched the situation on the ground.“The first phase will begin in Ranchi, Pakur and Palamu districts. We plan to expand the exercise to all districts over the next month. The initiative is part of SFI’s national-level school audit campaign,” he said.The survey will assess key parameters, including student-teacher ratios, school infrastructure, sports facilities, libraries and the quality of midday meals served to students.The audit will also focus on the merger and closure of govt schools, particularly in rural areas. SFI members will examine the factors behind declining enrolment in schools identified for merger or closure.“We want to understand why enrolment is falling in these schools. Their merger or closure is reducing access to education in rural Jharkhand and encouraging privatisation. Many parents are being compelled to enrol their children in private schools despite the financial burden,” Danish said.He added that the survey teams would follow administrative procedures while visiting schools. Before conducting field inspections, SFI delegations would meet the district education officers concerned and brief them about the objectives, survey methodology and proposed itinerary.SFI plans to use the audit findings to seek improvements in staffing, infrastructure and basic facilities at govt schools.
