New Delhi:The government has decided to maintain the female ratio in girls schools that had been converted to co-ed a few years back. The move comes in view of the decreasing number of girl students in such schools.

The government had earlier promoted setting up of girls schools to encourage more girls to join schools. However, some of the schools, on demand, converted to co-ed ones. After the conversion, some local bodies observed that the girls ratio in such co-ed schools had gone down. "Several representations suggesting decrease in the girls ratio have been made to the minister concerned. To prevent this, we have decided to issue orders to maintain the female ratio in these schools," said Sanjay Kumar, secretary of school education.

As per the new government resolution (GR), girls schools that have converted to co-ed, will have to maintain the number of girl students which was there before the conversion. If this is not done, the schools will be denied permission to convert to co-ed. "These schools have to maintain the minimum girls ratio required. If they fail to do so then there is no logic in running these schools," said an official of the department.

The GR also mentions that girls schools wanting to switch over to co-ed, will have to give a written pledge to the government stating that the number of female students will not go down. The official added that many conservative parents prefer to send their girl child to girls schools rather than the co-ed ones.

"Once the schools switch over to co-ed, they withdraw their childrens admissions. We wish to check this trend and the schools have to ensure it," she added.

A trustee from the management of Anjuman-i-Islam group of schools, which runs several girls schools in the city, said, "It is an excellent move by the government. This was the need of the hour."

"The government is clear in its outline and the idea is logical. If the government is doing its best to promote girl education, then what is the point in them dropping out? If something can be done to prevent this, it is always welcome," said principal of a girls school in south Mumbai.
Source : DNA