1.6K cr goes back to Centre as slack TN fails to use education funds

The Central share of fund released under SSA in Tamil Nadu was more than Rs 2,500 crore in the last three years, which is little over four per cent of the all India allocation.

However, the latest State Finance Audit Report 2019 revealed that School Education Department has surrendered a total of Rs 1,627 crore in 2018-19 due to non-implementation of various schemes under SSA. The report on breaking up the funds returned revealed that the State government did not utilise and returned Rs 894 crore meant for developing infrastructure of the schools under SSA scheme. 

Similarly, a total of Rs 437 crore, which was allocated for the implementation of secondary education improvement scheme, was also surrendered. Under the scheme, civil work such as strengthening labs in schools, improving library facilities, and providing proper toilet facilities for the students is carried out. Likewise, the Department did not utilise Rs 296 crore meant for the special component programme under SSA.  Recently, during his budget speech, Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister O Paneerselvam had claimed the Centre was yet to release funds for SSA. 

The Tamil Nadu Teachers Association demanded immediate enquiry into the non-utilisation of funds and urged that steps be taken for proper implementation of Central schemes in the future. “It is shocking to note that funds were returned by not implementing schemes. Many schools in the State still do not have proper infrastructure, including lack of proper toilets. There is no concrete plans for authorities either. This has to be rectified,” association president PK Illamaran said.

SSA aims to provide relevant elementary education to all children in the age-group 6 to 14 by ensuring 100% enrolment, cent percent retention of children, quality education and quality infrastructure facilities in the schools. Various activities include reimbursement of school fee to children’s admission under (RTE) Act, distributing free textbooks, teachers’ salaries, special training for mainstreaming out-of-school children among others.