A recent survey conducted by the Surat Municipal Corporation’s Primary Education Committee has revealed that since Diwali, 603 students from 50 municipal schools in the city’s Varachha zone have withdrawn. The parents of these students, many of whom were employed in the city’s diamond industry, have cited job losses and financial difficulties as the primary reasons.
In recent months, Surat, widely known as the “Diamond City,” has been hit hard by a slump in its diamond trade. The post-Diwali period has seen the closure of numerous diamond factories, leading to widespread unemployment among artisans. The economic downturn has also caused significant disruption in the education sector.
Municipal schools in the city have been affected as families struggle to maintain their livelihoods. Despite the education committee offering free education along with uniforms, books and bags, the lack of steady income has pushed many families to withdraw their children from these schools.
At the same time, the financial strain has also impacted private schools, with 592 students transferring to municipal schools since Diwali. Parents, unable to afford private school fees due to salary cuts and job losses, have opted for the free education provided by the Surat Municipal Corporation.
The situation has forced some artisans to leave Surat altogether, returning to their hometowns in Saurashtra or relocating to other cities in search of opportunities.
For those who remain, the challenges are reportedly severe, with rising unemployment contributing to an increase in suicide rates among affected workers.
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