New Delhi: At least one aspect of Chunauti 2018, Delhi government’s programme to improve learning, is causing serious concern. In the process of dividing kids into groups according to their abilities, one set of Class IX students will be enrolled in Patrachar Vidyalaya— education department’s correspondence division. This move, fear activists, will “strip these children of all legal rights to facilities available to regular school students”.Those who have failed Class IX twice or more and dropped out will be enrolled in ‘Vishwas’ (the other groups are ‘Nishtha’ and ‘Pratibha’); they’ll write the Class X Modified Patrachar Scheme Examination (MPSE) without writing the Class IX one—allowed, apparently, in the CBSE-affiliated Patrachar Vidyalaya. Over 56,000 children are eligible. The policy documents assure they’ll get regular classes and enroll with Patrachar, “through the school.” There’s much head-scratching over this decision. While government’s advisers maintained this will prevent dropout, lawyer-activist Khagesh Jha believes it “may prove dangerous in the long run”.“Why Patrachar? There are provisions to implement all measures in regular schools. A child enrolled in Patrachar has no legal claim to classrooms or qualified teachers. They can’t protest against crowding or even seek redress in court because on paper, they’re correspondence students. Legally, they’re entitled to two classes per week,” explained Jha. Policy documents explain that Vishwas students will have the same benefits—daily classes, uniforms, scholarships —as regular ones; Shailendra Sharma, adviser to the director, education, said even the difference in fees would be met by the government. But, Jha cautioned, “If the government appoints under-qualified teachers or hands the running of this to NGOs, these kids can’t oppose.” The provision of appointing teachers from NGOs and private institutions is already a part of Chunauti.Jha has had children complaining that schools are “forcing parents to either write applications ‘requesting’ their children to be placed in Vishwas or withdraw.” A list of FAQs posted on July 21 clarified that joining Vishwas is ‘optional’ but, as Nangloi school management committee-member, Jitender, said, “Parents don’t know what being in Vishwas even means and the enrollment process has begun.” SMC members and school staff are being deployed to “explain” Chunauti to parents; a “Mega Parent-Teacher Meeting” is scheduled on July 30. But Jitender shares Jha’s concerns. “Patrachar is known to be for old people, out of school for years. Schools can’t throw these children out, so have adopted this policy. Schools are already on the lookout for private teachers,” said Jitender.“Patrachar allows students to drop subjects and take up others, like home science, physical education. Those who would’ve dropped out are being encouraged to return. Also, this is Modified Patrachar. It’ll be located inside the school and its teachers will be responsible,” said Sharma explaining the rationale behind the decision. “Regular CBSE won’t allow you to drop subjects. Patrachar does,” added a mentor teacher. “Most government services require applicants to have studied five subjects—English, Hindi, mathematics, social studies and science,” she added, “But that number will be very small. This is one way of preventing dropouts. This allows students to remain in contact with the formal school system. Also, once they clear, they’ll be reintegrated into regular school.”