Pvt residential schools also to be reviewed In an unprecedented move,the state government is planning to introduce a common entrance test (CET) for teachers in private schools. It is also preparing to conduct a review of residential schools. The issue was discussed at the state Cabinet meeting on Friday,when some ministers pointed out irregularities being committed in private schools in the state. A senior minister said concern was raised over how private educational institutions were fleecing parents of students and making ad hoc appointments of teachers,thereby affecting the quality of education delivered. Some ministers also pointed out that some schools did not have qualified teachers and such teachers were even compelled to give up a portion of their salaries to cover up the irregularity. A suggestion of introducing a CET for private school teachers came up during the discussion,to which both Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and his deputy Ajit Pawar both indicated their consent. The process for taking a formal decision for introducing the CET is expected to start soon. The issue of boarding schools was also discussed and some ministers wanted the government to conduct a review to find out whether such schools were working as per norms and taking care of the needs of students. Ministers complained that while aided private boarding schools were perennially demanding more funds,the government had no control over unaided ones. A pilot project to conduct a sample survey was suggested and accordingly,the government is planning to engage an independent agency like the Tata Institute of Social Sciences,to examine schools in one district of each of the six revenue divisions in the state (Konkan,Nashik,Pune,Aurangabad,Amravati and Nagpur).
