Govt claims 70% turnout in second parent-teacher meeting

Some took a half-day from work while many others, who had skipped the first parent-teacher meeting, made sure they were present at the second mega parent-teacher meeting (PTM) held in government schools on Saturday.

Some took a half-day from work while many others, who had skipped the first parent-teacher meeting, made sure they were present at the second mega parent-teacher meeting (PTM held in government schools on Saturday.

Government officials claimed most schools saw a 70% turnout. A teachers’ body, on the other hand, said only about 50% parents came to attend the mega parent-teacher meeting on Saturday.(Saumya Khandelwal/HT Photo)

Though officials claimed most schools saw a 70% turnout, a teachers’ body said only about 50% parents came to attend the mega PTM on Saturday.

The focus of the second PTM was on sharing results of the first term exams held after the government introduced its ambitious Chunauti 2018 scheme to improve learning levels and taking feedback from parents.

“I took half day from work to meet the teachers and take feedback on my daughter’s studies. The teacher said my daughter needs to focus on certain subjects,” said Lilawati, who works at a vegetable market as a daily wager.

Teachers had to share the report card of students with their parents and give them feedback about ways to improve the learning level of students.

H Akhtar, vice-principal of Sarvodaya Vidyalaya, Jor Bagh, said parents were more forthcoming at the second PTM and had more queries. “Parents are confident and aware. They are taking more interest and asking how their kids can get better,” he said.

The Government School’s Teachers Association (GSTA) countered this claim. “Schools located in rural areas had only 15-20% of parents showing up for PTM while at an average only 40-50% parents came,” said Ajay Veer Yadav, general secretary of GSTA. He said report cards could not be fully prepared due to lack of time.

At some schools, teachers and parents were not as enthusiastic about the PTM and said it would not make any difference unless there are enough teachers.

“Only one Mathematics teacher is teaching all 17 sections for class 6-12,” said a teacher from the Government Boys Senior Secondary School, Madanpur Khadar. The school has 1,250 students and runs in evening shift.

Education minister Manish Sisodia visited some schools in his constituency. “There was a lack of communication between teachers and parents. We are bringing them together to help students do better in schools,” he said.

Meanwhile, the All India Guest Teachers’ Association said around 6,000 teachers remained absent from the PTM.