Increasing school inflow

Govt. fails to utilize central funds to attract children

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Apr 04: The state as well as centre government has introduced number of schemes to educate every child of the state at least to give him basic education, but somehow authorities have failed to fulfill their promises.

As per the officials records the Government of India government has launched a scheme Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RET) Act 2009 in 2010 besides Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and Mid-day Meal (MDM) but when the other facilities in not available these projects are not fulfilled the propose.

Records say in Jammu province there are 4055 schools with total enrollment of 210447 students and the 14936 teachers are appointed there. Out of which 4055 schools are running without building.

Moreover the in 2838 schools there is not a single toilet which shows that about 70 percent of the schools in Jammu provinces lacks this essential requirement. In this high-tech era about 3936 education institutions still not have computer service.

Whereas the basic and most important thing drinking water facility, which is required in every institution, be a government as well private, 2108 schools are running without proper drinking water.

73 percent of the schools in Jammu division do not have a play ground which is also a necessity of education institution. As far as book bank and furniture facility is concern in 2382 and 830 schools respectively required these ground level amenities.

Evidently, a significant number of students have been denied the benefit of infrastructure facilities proposed under SSA with shortfall in achievement of target ranging between 43 and 62 percent despite there being availability of funds.

Out of 5232 works estimated 156.83 crore taken up during 2002-11, 3422 works had been completed during the period at a cost of 105.45 crore.

As per the audit report it is observed that poor utilization of funds under the programmes resulting in huge unspent balances at the close financial years at all levels. The department has failed to provide basic amenities and facilities to students.