03mar05H1

http://www.hindu.com/2005/03/03/stories/2005030303110600.htm
The Hindu, March 03, 2005

Many government schools lack drinking water
By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE, MARCH 2. There is no drinking water facility in 67 per cent of the Government primary schools in the State, according to the Minister for Primary and Secondary Education, R. Ramalinga Reddy.

At a press conference here today, he said that the Government has not been able to provide drinking water to students in about 30,000 primary schools (67 per cent) and toilets in 78 per cent of the schools. With the increased allocation in the Union Budget for the Sarva Shikshana Abhiyan during 2005-06, the State will get an additional Rs. 140 crores (total Rs. 402 crores) under the scheme in the next financial year. The increased allocation will be used to build 9,000 classrooms and toilets, he said. The State received Rs. 362 crores under Sarva Shikshana Abhiyan during 2004-05.

Asked about the extension of the midday meal scheme to Class X, Mr. Reddy said the proposal is before the Government. An additional Rs. 70 crores will be required to cover 17 lakh students of both government and aided high schools under the scheme.

There are no kitchens for the midday meal scheme in 18,000 government schools. The Minister sought permission from the Government to utilise Rs. 67 crores reimbursed by the Centre for implementation of the midday meal programme this year. The amount will be utilised for construction of kitchens in the next financial year.

To a question, he said the Government will withdraw permission granted to schools that failed to implement the midday meal programme.

Recruitment

He said about 2,900 primary and 1,900 high school teachers' posts are vacant and they will be filled soon. The pending salary of Sanskrit teachers will be released in a couple of days, he said. Asked about opening of new schools, he said the department has decided to start 224 high schools and 50 junior colleges in the backward taluks of the State.