India needs to break free from private education system

Founded in 2010, Simultala Awasiya Vidyalaya (SAV), Jamui in Bihar has been giving impressive results in board exams since its inception
All those who thought quality education was available only in expensive private schools in big cities, here's a shocker. A government school in a relatively unknown town Simultala, in Jamui district in Bihar, offers traditional gurukul style schooling and produces toppers each year.Founded in 2010, Simultala Awasiya Vidyalaya (SAV)- a residential school, has been consistently giving impressive results in board exams. They have been among the toppers since 2015 when the first batch of students admitted in the year 2010 appeared for their secondary board examination. Apart from board exams, SAV students have also cracked various exams such as IIT-JEE, NEET, NDA and NTSE. This year 16 out of 18 toppers in class X Bihar board examination are from the SAV.
Grooming these children in a residential school is not an easy task, says Rajiv Ranjan, principal of Simultala Awasiya Vidyalaya. "It needs constant vigil and strict monitoring in order to discipline the students coming diverse background and economic setups."
"We identify their strength as well as the weaknesses. Initially, most of them suffer from homesickness and need personal attention. Slowly we involve them in light reading, participation in games and sports that help them settle down," he says.
"We need more such schools so that we can break the strangulating web of the private education system in our country. Our school is a standing example of how any school can excel. We aim to pave way for government-owned schools to recover its lost glory and change the perception," says SAV principal.
Success Mantra
"During academic hours they are taught in a complete formal set up in the classrooms. Students are also provided with the opportunities to learn by doing. Participation in curricular activities such as debate, extempore, science quiz, science exhibition, field survey, projects, cultural programmes is a must," adds Rajiv Ranjan.
"In order to develop efficiency in their answers and improve their writing skills students are also encouraged to prepare their own answers for all the subjects they study," Rajiv Ranjan adds while talking to Education Times.
"Constant formal and informal guidance by teachers, group study, learning by doing, and preparing their answers themselves are as the success mantras of SAV students," he adds.
Eligibility
The school is open for the domiciles of Bihar and students are admitted in class six. Admissions are offered through state level entrance test conducted by the Bihar School Examination Board, Patna (BSEB). There is a two-tier system of entrance test - Preliminary Test (PT) and Mains followed by mandatory health check-up.
Student of a government school or a government recognised private school not less than 10 years old nor should be more than 12 years old as on April of the admission year are eligible to apply.
Facilities and fee structure
The school authorities provide meals, clothing (both formal and casual), hostel facilities, stationaries and books everting to students. While the school does not have a specific fee structure, the student may pay depending on the parental income. ENDS