The fate of Centrally sponsored KGBV scheme in J&K is nothing different from the fate that usually visits other centrally sponsored schemes in the State. Actually, absence of accountability can be underlined as the main cause of failure of these schemes. The strange thing is that the failure of such schemes is not made public until a central team deputed to make assessment of its progress makes on spot study and submits the report. If there were very effective accountability mechanism, perhaps the concerned would be under pressure to report progress. More depressing is the fact that those who are at the helm of affairs and charged with the responsibility of making the schemes a success fails to report the hurdles that crop up while implementing the scheme. If they refer it at proper time, it should be possible for the authorities to nip the evil in the bud.
We have the case of Kusturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) scheme in Jammu and Kashmir before us. In august 2004, the Union Government launched a scheme on countrywide basis with the purpose of boosting education among the girl children of SC/ST/OBC and minorities in selected areas. It is a known fact that in backward areas of the country the ratio of female education is below the average of the national level. Under the scheme, a number of facilities were provided and guidelines were issued which had to be followed strictly. Early this month the NITI Aayog submitted a report that dealt with various aspects of the scheme in J&K State. We have a copy a copy of this report. It paints a gloomy picture of the entire project when touching various aspects. In essence the report says that KGBVs are not provided adequate number of staff and teachers of specialized subjects. Owing to non-availability of subject teachers, most of the students are deprived of pursuing studies in the subject of their taste. Even the report is unhappy over the inability of the authorities to spend the funds that were liberally provided.
The scheme had provision for pressing into service the modern gadget of teaching like Teaching Learning Material (TLM) and computers etc. The TLM is rarely used and computers are non existent. In the same way the institutions have no satisfactory library facilities. Individualized Education Plan (IEP)” is altogether missing. The worst is that not to speak of students even the teachers of these institutions are not happy with the conditions that prevail there. This report serves as eye opener and the central authorities more than the state authorities should mount their attention on the conditions that prevail in the KGBVs. The Governments usually make tall claims that they are seized of the problems of weaker sections of society and the minorities and that they are determined to raise the living standard of these people. But looking at the practical side of this social phenomenon, we are sorry to say that no responsible minister or Government functionary is prepared to take the job of ameliorating the lot of the backward and weaker sections of society with earnestness. If the Government plays seek and hide in resolving the problems of the backward, weaker sections and minorities, it is doing a great disservice to the nation.
Keeping in mind this case and others like it, we come to the conclusion that one of the important reasons of failure of this scheme is the absence of a monitoring mechanism. The Central schemes are not monitored regularly and the problems arising when practical implementation begins are not reported to the sponsoring agencies in time. The result is that entire scheme is marred by lack of supervision and guidance at the elementary level. The solution is that with the introduction of any Centrally sponsored scheme the sponsors should also create supervisory mechanism that will submit periodical reports and ensure that the scheme is implemented in letter and in spirit.
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