SUGGEST WAYS TO ACCESS AND RETENTION OF CHILD IN SCHOOL
Answers
Some ways for access and retention of children in schools are:
1. Improvement in the quality and relevance of schooling - This can help to increase the enrolment of children in the schools. When people perceive that schools provide quality education and offer an opportunity to learn relevant skills they will send their children to schools.
2. Make the school environment child friendly - Another way to increase access and retention is to make the teaching and learning environment safe and secure. It should be conducive to the health of the students. There should be no violence or aggression. Teaching and learning should be interesting.
3. Increase the amount of expenditure on education - The government can give grants to schools and scholarships to the students. It can spend money on the teacher training programs.
4. Setting up low-fee private schools - More children will be able to pay the small amount of fees and get more opportunities to study. They will also be able to get personal attention, this will enhance learning.
5. Alternative provision or complementary education - Non-formal education can be provided by the community organized schools or NGOs. Such initiatives provide high levels of access and produce significant learning outcomes. This does not require excessive expenditure.
6. Reduction of school-related costs - Direct costs of schooling like fees, uniforms, learning materials and transportation and indirect costs act as a barrier to access and retention of children in schools. If school related costs are reduced more children can afford to go to school.
7. The government can take steps to encourage education - It can provide different incentives for setting up schools. It can encourage the people to send their children to school by giving various concessions to them.
8. Parental and community involvement in schools - Parents and teachers should work together to build the personality of the child. There should be parent-teacher meetings. Parents and other members of the community should be invited for the sports and other cultural functions. This will encourage the students to continue their education.
9. Eliminating the school fees - Research shows that poverty is a major cause for children's non-enrolment and dropout. This will help the poor children, whose parents cannot pay the fees, to attend schools.
10. Multiple shifts in the school building - In remote areas the same school building can be used for different classes by implementing a multiple shift system. Or else boarding facilities can be provided for the children who live far away.
11. Location of schools closer to the residences of children - If the schools are located nearby it will be easier for parents to send their children to school. It will help to minimize the time and expenses involved in attending schools. So more children will join schools and continue their studies.