1,170 primary schools in state running with single teacher
CHANDIGARH: The comptroller and auditor general’s performance audit of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Punjab, has found that from 2011-2016, over ₹1,350 crore meant for the implementation of the scheme was not released while at least ₹15 crore was spent in excess for purchasing uniforms and books. It also revealed that 1,170 primary schools were running with a single teacher in the state.
The report, tabled in the state assembly on Wednesday, also points out that there was “lack of planning and deficiencies in both financial management and execution of the programme that undermined achievement of its objectives”.
The report states that of the ₹1,362 crore funds not released for the scheme, the Centre was to contribute ₹850 crore, Punjab government ₹450 crore and the 13th Finance Commission ₹50 crore.
Pointing to “bungling” of funds, the report adds that only a set of uniform was provided to the students against two even as excess amount was spent on purchasing them. Another ₹6.76 crore was spent extra on purchase of books against the norms fixed by the ministry of human resources and development.
The government took one-andhalf-year to notify the state right to education rules due to which it missed out on over ₹110 crore in 2011-12.
Also, the report noted that the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights created under the RTE held no meeting in 2011-12 and 2012-13 and only met only once in 2013-14.
The report adds that the state failed to deploy teachers to cater to over 18,000 children suffering from various disabilities, as many as 1,170 primary schools were running with single teacher and 572 upper primary schools with less than three teachers.
The report also highlighted the diminishing number of students in government and aided schools.
From 20.7 lakh students in Classes 1 to 8 in 2011-12, the number has declined to 8.8 lakh in 2015-16. On the other hand, the enrolment in private schools increased from 19.63 lakh to 20.83 lakh during the same period.