State asks school principals to step in for census work

The state government seems to be taking a break from tradition this year. Instead of sending education inspectors across schools like each year, it has asked school principals to fill out forms instead.

No cheating: The education department has also stated that if any disparity is found in the number of students in the form, action would be taken against the school principal for providing false information. Representation pic

It's been two months since schools in the city kickstarted the academic year, but no orders have been issued by the administration to officials to visit all fully-aided, partly aided, unaided and permanently unaided schools to conduct the yearly census.

The forms handed to principals at the beginning of this month requires information on the number of students from Std V to Std X, the number of divisions, classroom capacity and attendance records. The education department has also stated that if any disparity was found in the number of students, action would be taken against the principal for providing false information.

Schoolspeak
Michael Pinto, principal of St John Baptist School, Thane, said, "Last year, officials from the education department came to our school for inspection. But, this year the census seems to be happening differently."

Sabina Zaveri, principal and convenor of a south Mumbai school, said, "We have received a circular providing the format to conduct an internal census. But education inspectors have not yet visited this year, like they do in other years."

An education official from south Mumbai said, "The government has not yet issued orders on conducting a census in city schools. We are awaiting orders; in the meantime, schools have been asked fill out forms." u00a0