JOIN US110 schools to have playgrounds
All those government primary schools, which do not have playgrounds will get playgrounds within a year.
Speaking to Deccan Herald, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan district co-ordinator Shivaprakash said that 110 government primary schools do not have playgrounds in the district. A proposal has already been submitted to the government through Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan to allot land to have playgrounds in these schools. The work on playgrounds can be taken up under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) as well.
White paper on toilets
As per the direction of the Supreme Court, all the schools must have toilets by March 31, 2012.
Accordingly, preparations are on for issuing a white paper on toilet facilities in schools in Dakshina Kannada.
Shivaprakash said “all the 1,181 primary schools including 955 government schools have toilets, as per the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court. We are also conducting a re survey to make sure that all the schools have toilet facilities. The survey will be completed by March 20. After the survey, the Deputy Commissioner will issue a white paper on the same before March 31,” he said.
All the Block Education Officers and head teachers of the schools have already confirmed in writing that all the schools in their jurisdiction have toilet facilities. Dakshina Kannada has seven education blocks with 114 clusters.
Under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, as many as 108 disabled-friendly toilets have been constructed in 108 schools in the last two years, at the cost of Rs 50,000 each.
“We have submitted a proposal to the government to construct disabled-friendly toilets in all the schools in its Action Plan for 2012-13. We have identified 13 schools, which will require additional toilets, which will be constructed during 2012-13.”
At the same time, all the schools have water facility. There are few schools which have three sources of water i.e well, borewell and panchayat water connection. All the schools in Dakshina Kannada have basic infrastructure of electricity as well.
Two school buildings which are under construction at Nadupadavu and Kundadka are yet to get the electricity connection, he said.
All the government schools in Dakshina Kannada can also boast of having a library. Under SSA, grant of Rs 3,000 to Rs 13,000 was given to the schools to purchase books for the library, he said.
During 2012-13, 33,200 metres compound wall for the school property will be constructed in Dakshina Kannada district.
“We have also asked for furniture for 23,000 students this year, so that the old furniture can be replaced. At the same time, a proposal of Rs three crore has been submitted to the government for repairing the school buildings in the district.”
Teacher-students ratio
Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan district coordinator Shivaprakash said that as per the Right To Education Act, the teacher and the students ratio should be 1:30. In Dakshina Kannada, the average teacher-students ratio is 1:24.
“Under SSA, we have sought funds for the construction of four additional classrooms during 2012-13. As 13 schools do not have a separate head masters’ room, the construction of the same has been included in the proposal for 2012-13.”