Why are government schools not the first choice?
The public education system is the primary option for millions of students in India. These institutions have become more important during this pandemic period because of high fees charging private schools. The Patna High court recently asked for data on how many IAS and IPS Officers have enrolled their wards in government schools. 
Lack of resources and infrastructure:
People feel there are not enough teachers in government schools, and they are not functioning properly. There are different kinds of public schools (e.g.). Kendra Vidayalayas are well resourced with good infrastructure and good teachers. Likewise, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya is an island of excellence and competitively looked at admission. There are other municipal schools and government schools run by different Zilla Panchayats, which are not always well resourced but tend to get the poorer students.
We should also look at the basic safety, well-being, and hygiene factors in these schools. There is no reason why they cannot have well-functioning toilets, drinking water, and proper compound walls. All these factors account for the poor enrollment in government schools.
Transferrable job nature of government schools:
For government servants and those in transferable jobs, there is a lot of paperwork, admission hassles, and even the compatibility of State boards. That is something that parents keep in mind because when people are transferred between states, the language, the second language, the board, the syllabus all come into the picture. Also, the ability of a child to adjust to a new way of teaching and a new syllabus.
Pandemic and government schools :
Poor children who don't have tuition, parents to support them at home, or books. During COVID - 19, 60-70% of children had nothing. There was no attempt to go to them and see what they needed. These led the government school students to predominantly prey to pandemics.
Preference of English:
English is seen as aspirational, which is fine, but it would cut away a child from what they already know. Education in the mother tongue in the primary years helps a child to build basic knowledge and concepts.
Make government schools a better option:
We should make a micro plan for every school, a larger plan for schools at the district and state levels. Then basic needs such as drinking water, rainwater harvesting, dining areas, school gardens, toilets - need to be taken up before talking about levels of learning and teaching. 
The role of local bodies should be enhanced. Local bodies should take ownership, and the school development committees can be linked with elected local bodies to support the needs of the school.
A government teacher's job is secure, with an attractive salary, perks, and retirement benefits compared to teachers in private schools. Yet people hesitate in choosing a government school. The midday meal cooks in a school also contribute to building a healthy and happy school environment. There is a lot more that we need to do in terms of empowering government schools.
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