UT education dept wants Rs 50 crore more this year

UT education department for the fiscal 2015-16 has demanded around `50 crore more than the previous year in its new proposed budget. However, the budget is yet to be approved.

UT education department for the fiscal 2015-16 has demanded around `50 crore more than the previous year in its new proposed budget. However, the budget is yet to be approved.

For fiscal 2014-15, a total of `161.7 crore was allotted for strengthening the education sector which included `126.3 crore for general education (school education and higher education, `3 crore for primary education and `32.4 crore for technical education.

The department, according to a senior official wants schools to go digital. In order to install modern teaching aids in all the government schools, the department is seeking additional budget for the implementation of its vision.

“Though the ultimate approval would come after the budget discussion in the Parliament, but we have demanded `50 crore more than the usual budget as we are very much determined to give new and digital look to the schools. We definitely need money for that,” said an official.

The official added that as many schools in the city are not rich in infrastructure, the idea is to bring the infrastructure development there.

“Many schools do not have ramps in their premises, which are essential under RTE. Many do not have separate girl’s toilets, labs and other necessary tools for quality education therefore we wanted to have more funds this time so that parents feel comfortable to get their students admitted in the government schools,” he added.

It is important to mention that education department recently conducted a school wise survey to scrutinize the conditions of the schools. The survey revealed the lack of infrastructure facilities with the schools where ones in the periphery are amongst the most affected schools.

As per a survey report by National University of Educational Planning and Administration for the State Secondary Education schools last year, out of total 155 schools in the city, only 52 schools have toilets for children with special needs.