The Rajasthan government has constituted a four-member committee to review the Mahatma Gandhi English Medium (MGEM) schools, which were upgraded during the previous Congress administration. The committee, headed by Deputy Chief Minister Prem Chand Bairwa, includes cabinet ministers Gajendra Singh, Madan Dilawar, and Sumit Godara, with the secretary of the school education department serving as the member secretary.
This move comes after several complaints were received from parents, local representatives, and officials, highlighting concerns over poor infrastructure, lack of teachers, and the overall quality of education at the MGEM schools. Sources have revealed that numerous requests for the closure of these schools were made due to these issues.
The committee's task will be to assess the relevance and effectiveness of the MGEM schools and decide on their future. The state government’s education department will oversee the committee’s activities, with officials noting that many MGEM schools are unable to meet the necessary facilities criteria.
The decision to review the MGEM schools has stirred political controversy. Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot accused the current BJP government of attempting to undermine public education by closing the MGEM schools, which he believes have provided affordable education to many students. Gehlot criticized the BJP for yielding to private English-medium schools, which he claims are pressuring the government.
Congress leaders, including state president Govind Singh Dotasra, have termed the formation of the committee as politically motivated, pointing out that it lacks education experts. They argue that the BJP’s actions are intended to benefit private institutions rather than improve public education.
As the committee begins its review, opposition leaders have warned of a mass movement if any decision that negatively impacts the future of MGEM schools is made. The political tension surrounding the issue is expected to escalate in the coming weeks, with Congress pledging to challenge any decision that they view as detrimental to the people’s interests.
This development has reignited the debate over the future of English-medium education in Rajasthan, with both sides of the political spectrum firmly entrenched in their positions. The outcome of the review committee will likely have long-lasting implications for the state's education system.
