JAIPUR: After Rajasthan’s dismal record in meeting RTE (Right to Education) standards in government schools, a national survey has now found that the state has performed poorly in terms of utilization of Central education grants.
The state education department has failed to spend Rs 16.23 crore of the Rs 20 crore grant received under the centrally sponsored information and communication and technology (ICT) in schools in 2009. It also failed to utilize funds of Rs 5 crore sanctioned for ‘inclusive’ education for the disabled at the secondary stage (IEDSS) in the state.
The dismal standard of fund utilization in the state was pointed out in a recent nationwide school education survey (8th) conducted by the National Council of Educational and Research Training ( NCERT). The status report was released by the Union ministry of human resources and development in January 2013. The centrally sponsored ICT scheme in schools was launched in December 2004 and revised in 2010 for Rajasthan.
Its aim is to promote computer-enabled learning and use of technology in teaching at government and government-aided secondary and higher secondary schools. The scheme’s focus areas are the educationally backward blocks (EBB) which have a high concentration of SCs, STs and weaker sections.
Under the scheme, the state gets financial assistance to procure computers and other ICT-related infrastructure.
The grant of Rs 6.4 lakh (non-recurring) and Rs 2.7 lakh (recurring) per school is given, which is shared between the Centre and state in a ratio of 3:1. Of the Rs 20 crore released by the Centre for the state, only Rs 4.77 crore has been utilized till date. Piling on more embarrassment, the state has also failed in issuing 25% of its share for the project.
Similarly, the Central government released Rs 5 crore during the 11th Five Year Plan for IEDSS. But here too, the amount remained unutilized. To cover up its inability, the state has not submitted the audit report to the Centre.
The report further indicates that no proposal under the scheme has been received from the state for year 2012-13. The apathy of the government shows large on the decline in enrolment of girls with disabilities in schools in the state.
If funds are allocated but not utilized, it represents the worst form of planning. These are real concerns and need to be addressed to improve the overall education scenario in the state,” said KB Kothari, managing trustee, Pratham. (Agencies)
