Kejriwal Describes AAP's Education Reforms as a Sapling, Warns of Future Risks

Arvind Kejriwal, leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), recently highlighted the progress made by his party's government in Delhi's education sector. He compared these achievements to planting a small sapling, warning that any disruption could jeopardise the educational future of underprivileged children. Kejriwal was speaking at an event where he interacted with parents of students from Delhi government schools.

Before AAP's governance, Delhi's government schools were in poor condition, often operating from temporary structures like tin sheds. Kejriwal recalled that basic amenities such as clean drinking water and toilets for girls were lacking, and many school buildings were on the brink of collapse. He credited Chief Minister Atishi and Manish Sisodia's team for the swift improvements in the education system.

Transformation of Delhi's Education System

Chief Minister Atishi praised the transformation of government schools under Kejriwal’s leadership. She stated that Delhi government schools are now world-class due to the election of an honest and responsible leader like Kejriwal. Atishi noted that from 1947 to 2015, only 24,000 classrooms existed in government schools. However, over 22,000 new classrooms have been added in the last decade.

Kejriwal emphasised that before his tenure, there was a belief that the government should hand over schools to private entities. He questioned whether parents could afford private school fees if this had happened. "Imagine, if all these schools had been privatised, could parents afford fees of Rs 5,000 per month? Most families don’t even earn that much," he remarked.

Impact on Students and Families

The event saw several parents expressing gratitude for the changes in Delhi's education system. Jai Singh Kushwaha shared his son's success story at Sarvodaya School in Jor Bagh. "I never imagined he would make it to the state level," he said about his son's achievement in chess. These stories highlight the positive impact on students and their families.

Kejriwal also mentioned how taxpayers' money was invested in public schools to build a better future for children. He pointed out that many students from Delhi government schools have qualified for prestigious exams like IIT and medical entrance tests. This investment has led to significant educational achievements among students.

The AAP statement noted that within a year or two after coming to power, nearly all government schools in Delhi had new buildings and classrooms. This rapid transformation was attributed to the hard work of Atishi and Sisodia’s team. The improvements have made a substantial difference in the quality of education provided.

The meeting was part of AAP's "Shiksha Par Baat, Maata Pita Ke Saath" programme, where parents shared their views on the education system. According to AAP's statement, parents expressed their gratitude towards Kejriwal for revolutionising education in Delhi. This interaction highlighted the community's appreciation for the government's efforts.