Rs 1,422 crore for Centre’s education schemes in Tamil Nadu

Activities also include promoting vocationalisation of education, strengthening and upgradation of State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) and teacher’s training. Centrally sponsored schemes of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) and Teachers’ Education were the three major school education development programmes of MHRD being implemented in partnership with the state government. While SSA covered the elementary level (Classes 1 to 8) and was the vehicle for implementation of the RTE Act, 2009, the RMSA covered Classes 9 to 12.

Last year, Tamil Nadu received only Rs 1,267.78 crore to implement the centre’s education schemes in the state. However, after the request from the Education Department, the MHRD increased the financial outlay to Rs 1,422.51 crores to Tamil Nadu for 2018-19. Sources from the Education Department said that this year special focus will be on construction of school buildings with provisions for rain water harvesting system and use of solar energy. Before construction of the schools, a comprehensive mapping exercise will be done to identify gaps, unserviced areas to enable in coming out with appropriate location where new schools need to be opened. 

The buildings will also be designed as to make them disabled friendly besides establishing at least one class-room for every teacher, an office-cum-store-cum HM room, barrier-free-access, separate toilets for boys and girls, safe and adequate drinking water facility to all children, a kitchen where mid-day meal can be cooked, playground and library. Accordingly, new primary and upper schools will be opened. Central funds will also be utilised for strengthening of existing secondary and senior secondary schools. 

Other initiatives as part of the plan include construction of new hostels for both gender, repair works at schools which are at least 10 years old, stipend for girl students, self-defence training for girl students, supplying appropriate teaching learning materials, medical facilities, vocational training support, guidance and counselling services and therapeutic services to children with special needs.