By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Education Minister Prof RC Laloo said that the shortage of funds has become a hurdle for bringing all the secondary and higher secondary schools of the State under deficit pattern.
In reply to a zero hour notice tabled by James Sangma (NCP), Laloo said that if these schools are brought under the deficit pattern of funding, the financial implication of the State will be an additional requirement of Rs 4505.68 lakh over the existing requirements for payment of salaries.
“At present, the State Government will not be able to meet the additional burden, but will try to locate resources so that grant-in-aid will be enhanced to ensure better salary for the teachers of adhoc schools”, Laloo said.
He said there are nine secondary schools which were brought under deficit pattern of funding with a purpose of assisting and implementing them with additional resources for payment of salaries to the teachers. “This deficit pattern of funding is provided with basic pay and DA at the existing rate”, Laloo said.
According to Laloo, at present, the State has 387 adhoc secondary schools and 38 adhoc higher secondary schools and the grant given to the managing committees is to ensure a basic salary to the teachers.
He however, said that the Government was committed to improve the quality of teachers and infrastructure facilities in schools.