The Central Government has approved around Rs369 crore against State education department’s proposal of Rs868 crore for the year 2013-14 for the execution of different schemes of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) in the State. Due to fund crunch, State education department would face difficulties to implement several SSA schemes like computer aided learning programme (CAlP), community mobilisation programme, Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), construction works, teachers’ training, National Programme for Education of Girls at elementary level and others.
While talking to The Pioneer SSA State project additional director RK Kunwar said that the department had sent proposal of around Rs868 crore to the Central Government for the next financial year for the execution of centrally sponsored schemes of SSA in Uttarakhand.
The Central Government has approved around Rs369 crore under different schemes like Rs4.15 core for the operation of 28 Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBV), Rs239 crore for 5597 teachers’ salaries against department’s proposal for salaries to around 12,000 teachers under SSA, Rs6 crore for the salaries of the officials of 95 Block Resource Centres, Rs27 crore for the salaries of officials of Cluster Resource Centres and Rs12 lakh for teaching learning materials and other equipment.
In order to provide facilities to the students with special needs, the Central Government had approved Rs3.87 crore under Inclusive Education for Disabled Children. Under this scheme, the identified students with special needs will be assessed by interdisciplinary experts to issue certificate of their level of disability. SSA has introduced IEDS for girl's education and children with special needs.
An amount of Rs18 crore has been approved for repair works in the government schools. The state education department would receive Rs12 core for providing free text books to around 6.43 enrolled Class I-VIII students in the Government schools whereas Rs30 crore to provide uniform to the 7.6 lakh students.
In order to establish five hostels in the State, the Central Government had approved Rs64 lakh to the department. This includes three hostels for 150 students, two hostels for 50 students and one hostel for 100 students.
The State education department would receive Rs76 lakh for conducting residential special training and non-residential training for out of school children before enrolling them in the local schools. Moreover, SSA State project joint director in-charge Pravendra Kumar Bisht said that the Central Government had approved Rs259 crore for the execution of the Midday Meal Scheme in 17,761 different Government schools in the State.