5 years after announcement,model schools running in temporary sheds

The girls hostels were a centrally sponsored scheme for 100-seat hostels in 3479 EBBs across the country. There are 43 EBBs in Maharashtra and both model schools and girls hostels were to be set up here.

Documents with Newsline show that Rs 29.27 crore in 2011-12 and Rs 20.65 crore in 2012-13 were released for construction of model schools while Rs 25.60 crore was released in 2012-13 for construction of girls hostels.

“43 model schools are functioning in the state but in temporary buildings while none of the girls hostels have started. The reason is that we are in the process of acquiring land which is a very lengthy process. We have already acquired land in 28 EBBs and are in the process of acquiring land at other places. Every block will have about 5 acres in which schools and hostels will be constructed. Once land acquisition is over,construction will start immediately,” said Dr Suvarna Kharat,deputy secretary and state coordinator for the project. “There is no special innovative curricula as such followed in these schools at present. These schools are affiliated to the state board and the same syllabus is taught here. There are around 40 students in these schools from class 6 to 10,” said Kharat.

Ramesh Panse,education expert,was of the view that schemes announced by the government are hardly ever implemented. “Every year,the government announces a variety of schemes but what is the ratio of their implementation. Crores are released in education schemes but due to lack of performance audit,nothing ever happens. There is no time limit to implement these schemes,hence the project goes on for years,” said Panse. “How are schools supposed to be a model for other schools when they themselves are housed in temporary buildings? All government schemes work like this and since public memory is short,the moment new schemes are announced,old schemes are forgotten,” added Panse.