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Official apathy mars RMSA implementation

ASEM MOHIUDDIN. Dated: 10/7/2012 11:58:26 PM

Schools upgraded out of criteria, remote areas neglected

SRINAGAR, Oct 7: The state government has flouted all the norms in implementing the centrally sponsored educational programme- Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) despite receiving hundreds of crores of rupees from Government of India for improving the higher educational standards.
As per the official documents available with Kashmir Times, the education department has come under severe criticism for violating the rules in upgrading schools across state.
The documents suggest that hundreds of schools are being upgraded under the programme have not met the criteria.
“No criteria have been adopted while upgrading the schools as well as allocating funds under RMSA in the state,” read the documents.
However, the sources said that schools have been upgraded either for convenience of staff or have been upgraded under “political influence”, therefore depriving the deserved and needy population from the benefits of scheme.
“The scheme is aimed at improving the access to secondary schooling to all young persons according to norms – through proximate location like Secondary Schools within 5 kilometres, and Higher Secondary Schools within 7-10 kilometres,” the sources said. However, they said no such criteria has been followed in the state under the scheme.
As per the norms of scheme, authorities are bound to ensure that no child is deprived of secondary education of satisfactory quality on the grounds of gender, socio-economic, disability and others.
Stating that a comprehensive survey is required for the upgradation of schools and release of funds, the documents reveal that no such steps have been taken so far in implementing the scheme.
The documents said that the violations have been committed despite the repeated directions issued by the government from time to time.
“No directions have been implemented from time to time issued by the authorities,” it adds. The documents further stressed for the successful implementation of scheme in neglected areas. According to the documents despite the upgradation of hundreds of schools in state, the much deserving and far flung areas have almost been neglected.
However, the sources said that owing to poor planning and official apathy, the appointment of teachers and other staffer has yet to be started in upgraded 526 schools in state.
“More than three years passed, no appointment has been made in these schools. Under rules the government is bound to appoint four teachers’ headmaster and assistant clerk immediately after the upgradation of schools,” sources added.
They said the funds approved by the GoI as salaries for the staff has all been lapsed in last three years.
“The funds sanctioned by the GoI as salaries for the teachers in these schools get lapse since the state government has failed to appoint staff for these schools.