Source: The Sangai Express / Manipur Info Centre
New Delhi, October 04:
Out of the approved outlay of Rs 3684 lakh for the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) Programme in Manipur during 2007-08, a sum of Rs 3315.6 lakh will be funded by the centre which is 90 per cent while Rs 368.40 lakh (10 per cent) will be State's share.
For the eight North-Eastern States, the fund-sharing pattern between the Centre and the States is 90:10 under the programme.
The revised funding pattern for implementation of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan programme in the Eleventh Plan was announced on September 25.The revised funding pattern between the Central Government and States/UTs except North Eastern States shall be in the ratio of 65:35 for the first two years i.e.2007-08 and 2008-09; 60:40 for the third year 2009-10; 55:45 for the fourth year 2010-11; and 50:50 thereafter from 2011-12 onwards.
The new funding pattern became effective from 1st April this year.
Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan is Government of India's flag-ship programme towards achievement of Universalization of Elementary Education (UEE) in a time bound manner, as mandated by the 86th Amendment to the Constitution of India making free and compulsory education to the children of 6-14 years age group, a fundamental right.
SSA is being implemented in partnership with State Governments to cover the entire country and address the needs of 192 million children in 1.1 million habitations.
The programme seeks to open new schools in those habitations which do not have schooling facilities and strengthen existing school infrastructure through provision of additional class rooms, toilets, drinking water, maintenance grant and school improvement grants.
Existing schools with inadequate teacher strength are provided with additional teachers, while the capacity of existing teachers is being strengthened by extensive training, grants for developing teaching-learning materials and strengthening of the academic support structure at cluster, block and district level.
SSA aims to produce useful and relevant elementary education for all children in the 6-14 age group by 2010.Interestingly there have many complaints and reports of irregularities and discrepancies in the implementation of SSA scheme in different districts of Manipur including the Mid-Day programme.