It is well known what is the condition of the education system in government schools of India. This situation is not only the result of administrative apathy, but also raises questions on our priorities regarding education.It is ironical that Punjab has topped national education surveys, yet there is an acute shortage of teachers in government schools. We often hear that teachers are clamoring for jobs and eligible candidates are standing in line for interviews, yet thousands of posts remain vacant. My interest in the education system of Punjab grew when I saw what effect the lack of teacher-student ratio had on students.
It was a primary school, where children of all ages were sitting at desks, flipping through books, but with no one to guide them.
I visited an elite school in Sultanpur Lodhi, Punjab, which had over 200 students aged 5 to 12 and only one teacher. Although the school had all the necessary facilities, the most important thing was missing and that was qualified teachers.
To understand the full depth of this challenge, I decided to research and collect data on the education system of Sultanpur Lodhi. My research revealed that 6 out of 10 students are deprived of basic knowledge of Mathematics, English and Punjabi. To collect this data, I visited schools in different villages and conducted standardized tests based on the core concepts of each subject. Students were divided into groups according to their age and given appropriate tests. I myself supervised these tests.
Also, a random survey conducted on 110 parents revealed that 90% of the parents believe that their children find it difficult to understand the curriculum. This data was shocking, but it also highlighted the need for urgent action.
To solve this problem, I began contacting retired teachers, principals, and local leaders to discuss possible solutions. Together we interviewed candidates, evaluated their resumes, and observed demo classes. These efforts, though challenging, soon started yielding positive results and showing the impact of small interventions.
In 2022, we appointed our first teacher in a government primary school in Dandupur. Now, almost two years later, we have appointed 25 qualified teachers to work with government teachers in primary schools in 22 villages. There were 2408 students enrolled in schools in these villages in the 2023 academic year, almost all of whom come from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
Comparing enrollment growth data collected from the 2021 and 2022 school years before Ratan Foundation appointed teachers, a marginal increase of 4% was observed. Data collected for 2023 shows enrollment increasing by 8% and enrollment increasing by 10% with new teachers being hired this year (2024). These data were compared with a ‘control group’ of schools. There was only a 4% increase in those schools, in line with previous trends.
Due to the additional teachers appointed by Ratan Foundation, the confidence of parents in government schools has started increasing. With the help and support of existing teachers, we were able to divide children into age-appropriate classes, as opposed to the original model of teaching children of all ages in the same class.
The personal attention students receive has made a significant impact on their grades, with 82% of parents agreeing that after hiring Ratan Foundation teachers, their children have started performing better in school. Through these efforts, we have not only improved enrollment and literacy rates but also instilled hope in the capacity of government schools.
It has been very gratifying to see students who once sat quietly without any guidance now actively involved in their studies with new confidence. Seeing parents trust government schools again and knowing that we have made education more accessible to financially struggling families strengthens the belief that even small actions can make a difference. Can. Although there is still much to be done, these results inspire me to keep striving for every child’s right to a quality education—a right that should not depend on where they are born or What is his family’s income? When a community comes together with a shared purpose, real change is possible.
(Lehnaz Rana is a student and the founding chairperson of Ratan Foundation.)
(These are the personal views of the author.)