State asks private firms to help provide facelift to govt schools

Chennai

In a bid to improve infrastructure at government schools, on a par with that of private institutions, the Tamil Nadu government has appealed to Multinational Companies (MNCs) and private organisations to provide a facelift to government schools across the State.

School Education Department sent a circular to various companies in Tamil Nadu to initiate works in government schools that include providing better infrastructure, constructing compound walls and clean toilets.

A senior official from Education Department told DT Next that School Education Minister K A Sengottaiyan approached various companies through Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for this purpose. “CII and Tamil Nadu government have set up a joint task committee for this initiative,” he added.

The committee members, comprising government authorities and representative of corporate companies, will identify all the government schools that needs immediate attention. The committee, led by the principal secretary of the School Education Department, will organise periodical meetings to monitor and assist the companies that will help the government in improving the schools.

Pointing out that the State Government allocated Rs 27,205 crore in the budget this year for school education, the official said though huge money has been spent, there are some glitches in improving infrastructure of the schools.

“Private partnership will always give a boost to the welfare measures taken by the government,” the official said and added that instructions were given to the concerned authorities of education department to give immediate permission to the private organisations that are willing to take over any government school. He further pointed out that the education department by roping corporates planned to improve all government schools, within a year, the official noted that the government is also looking for ways to tie up withcorporates in improving teacher’s performance as well.