Why Parents Bypass a State‑Run School in Capital City

Parents in and around Thadpakhna, the suburb of Jharkhand’s capital, are deliberately avoiding the local government primary school, leaving it with only two enrolled children – Preeti Kumari, a fourth‑standard student, and Arjun Kumar, a first‑standard learner.

The school, which follows the state curriculum, is staffed by two teachers who arrive on time and conduct regular classes for the pair. Attendance is recorded daily, and the cafeteria continues to serve a full midday meal as per the national nutrition scheme.

However, the school only provides education up to the fifth grade. Nearby private schools and other government institutions extend their offerings up to class twelve, allowing children to stay in the same campus throughout their schooling. Families cite the inconvenience of changing schools as a primary reason for enrolling their children elsewhere.

The exodus has raised questions about resource allocation, as the education department continues to fund teacher salaries, kitchen staff, and meal preparation for a near‑empty campus. Critics argue that the state must re‑evaluate how funds are distributed to ensure that schools with higher demand receive the necessary support.