Teachers flag grant shortage in 375 merged schools in Kabirdham
Grant crisis in merged schools
Raipur | Correspondent: The process of rationalizing schools in Chhattisgarh is now becoming a major challenge on the ground. In Kabirdham district, 375 schools merged under this policy are facing a financial crisis. Even after a long period of merger, these schools have not yet received school grant funds, causing significant difficulties in daily educational activities and maintaining basic facilities.
The Chhattisgarh Teachers Association has taken a stand on this serious issue.
According to the association's district president, Dr. Ramesh Kumar Chandravanshi, the administration has merged two or three schools into one unit, but the budget is being allocated only to the main U-DISE school. Consequently, the limited funds available to the main school are only able to manage its pre-determined needs, while there are no additional funds available for the other merged schools.
The Teachers' Association has clarified that the lack of grants is not only affecting the normal functioning of schools, but also providing funding for crucial areas such as eco-clubs, community mobilization, and school management committees (SMCs).
It is noteworthy that a total of 10,538 schools have been merged at the state level so far.
The organization alleges that, as per rules, budgets were supposed to be increased based on student numbers, but in many places, previously released funds have been withdrawn. Teachers have demanded that separate grants be immediately released for each merged unit at the primary and pre-secondary levels, so that the education system can return to normal.
