One teacher each in 1,170 schools

Vishav Bharti

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 29

The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) funds were released short by Rs1,362 crore during 2011-16, according to the CAG report tabled in the Assembly here today.

The SSA is the primary vehicle for implementing the Right To Education (RTE) Act, 2009, and to provide useful and relevant education to all children in the age group of 6-14 years.

Besides, 1,170 primary schools in the state are running with single teacher and 572 upper primary schools with less than three teachers, the report said.

It also observed that inadequate planning and implementation was evidenced by lack of mapping of neighbourhood schools and data relating to children belonging to weaker sections and disadvantaged groups.

The CAG found that only one set of uniform was provided against the required two sets during 2011-16.

Besides, excess expenditure of Rs6.76 crore was incurred on purchase of books against the norms fixed by the Ministry of Human Resources and Development.

Deployment of resource teachers was not related to the number of children with special needs and the nature of their disability. No norms were fixed by the state for deployment of resource teachers. No resource teacher was appointed in the state in cases of multiple disabilities, cerebral palsy, learning disability and autism spectrum disabilities resulting in deprival of resource support to 18,214 children suffering from these disabilities.

The CAG observed that a performance audit of the implementation of the SSA for 2011-16 brought out lack of planning and deficiencies in both financial management and execution of the programme.