SSA norms violated in construction, upgradation of school buildings

Suhail Bhat
SRINAGAR, May 30: Government today said it has identified school buildings constructed in violation of SSA norms and have ordered investigations.
In a written reply to a question of MLA Dina Nath Bhagat in Lower House, Minister Incharge, School Education said the information is being collected with regard to violations. “Wherever an incomplete school building is not required to be completed on account of rationalisation, no further expenditure is incurred on the same,” he said. The Minister stated that action has been taken and FIRs registered. “Within six months the cases will be sorted out,” he said.
In supplementary question, NC MLA Mohammad Shafi Uri highlighted that under RAMSA there are no funds allocated to buy land for High Schools and Higher Secondary Schools in hilly areas and the funds for these schools are wasted.
Replying to the MLA, the Minister admitted that it is a genuine concern and said: “Lack of proper land and hard topography of these areas is a problem.
“We have to construct schools on hills and stream embankments which could be washed away anytime like in Bandipora wherein with a cost of Rs 20 lakhs we constructed a school which got collapsed. But, now we are spending Rs 200 crores to complete RAMSA buildings.”
Regarding rationalisation of schools, the Minister in reply to another question of MLA Gagan Bhagat, stated the criteria which shall be adopted in schools is: two teachers are required in schools where the roll is 20; where the roll is 20 to 30 students, 3 teachers are required; above 30 for every 30 students one teacher shall be added.
The Minister said in Middle Schools, for every 70 students five teachers and one headmaster are required; above 70 for every 25 students add one more teacher as per the requirement of enrolment shall be made available.
The Minister further stated that most of the schools clubbed were housed in rented building and the Government buildings spared in the process are proposed to be used for other activities of school education like Adult Literacy Centre.  The Minister also said in order to make the Village Education Committee (VEC) more responsive, vibrant and ensure that it meets regularly, as well as to the PRIs and other stakeholders; the composition of the VEC was modified.
“One respected person of the village, two other persons of the village, two persons from the retired teachers/ alumni/ academician one lady and gentleman from the parents and other ex-officio members have also been included. The MLAs are also taken into confidence while proposing the development works in the Govt. Schools,” he said.
The sweepers along with other category of workers, working in different schools of the department are paid out of local fund, the Minister said. He added that no school has been closed. “However, to improve quality of education by providing adequate number of teachers and infrastructure , number of schools have been clubbed or co-located,” he said.

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