The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Ramanathapuram News : SSA makes an impact in Ramanathapuram

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 10, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Ramanathapuram

SSA makes an impact in Ramanathapuram

By C. Jaishankar

RAMANATHAPURAM, JUNE 9. The well-conceived `Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan' (education for all) scheme has started yielding results, thanks to abundant funds and effective implementation. The long-pending demand of government schools for basic infrastructure is getting fulfilled slowly yet steadily.

The scheme was started in 2001, with the contribution of both the Central and State Governments, to impart quality education to children up to Standard VIII by 2010. It provides infrastructure to the schools and helps teachers update their skills with the latest teaching techniques.

The district, one of the most backward in Tamil Nadu, is an apt example of the scheme having reached the rural students who depend on only government schools for education. Never since Independence has the district received such a mammoth fund of Rs. 853 lakhs for infrastructure.

A combined team, consisting of Village Education Committees and headmasters of government schools, monitors the construction work in the schools to ensure transparency. The work includes the construction of new buildings and separate toilets for boys and girls, and the repair of existing buildings.

The Panchayat Union Primary School at Uchipuli near Mandapam has extra buildings, thanks to the SSA scheme and the contributions of the local people. The school has the same facilities as private matriculation schools have except benches for the students. Recalling roofless classrooms and those under the trees which had been the only ones available until recently, A. Kayambu, the Headmaster said, "During the 30 years of service I got no money from the Government to repair the building or even to whitewash it. Now officials of the SSA have been knocking at the doors of headmasters for new works. Really, the scheme is a boon for primary and middle school education."

The scheme enabled teachers to buy teaching materials and equipments, and to undergo frequent training programmes on issues like training of girls in vocational subjects and special focus on disabled students.

R. Ravindran, Additional District Project Coordinator, said more than Rs. 7 crores had been allotted to this district alone last year and hoped that the allotment would be more this year.

According to official sources, about Rs. 240 crores had been spent to improve the infrastructure and the quality of education in the State last year. A detailed plan had been drawn up to use Rs. 391 crores effectively this academic year. The proposal would be sanctioned soon.

However the biggest hindrance to the scheme is the non-fulfilment of vacancies in various districts including Ramanathapuram. More than 500 teacher posts are still vacant in this district alone. Educationalists feel that this situation will deter the scheme from realising its aim.

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