Banarpal: The Central government has started the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) to bridge social, regional and gender gaps, with the active participation of the community in the management of schools, particularly in elementary education, and improving the quality of learning.
SSA interventions include inter alia, opening of new schools and alternate schooling facilities, construction of schools and additional classrooms, toilets and drinking water, provisioning for teachers and regular teacher in-service training and academic resource support, free textbooks and uniforms.
However, the scenario in Banarpal block in Angul district contradicts the vision of SSA. While the new academic year is to begin from April 3, many schools are yet to receive textbooks.
Out of a demand for 90,000 books, only 59,861 books have reached the block education department while uncertainty looms large over the remaining books.
There are 92 primary schools and 76 upper primary schools in Banarpal block. In 2017-18 academic year, there were 17,556 students from Class I to Class VIII in schools in the block. Going through the strength of students, there is a need for 38,139 more books. So, guardians demanded books before the beginning of new academic year.
Block resources centre coordinator Jitendra Kumar said, “Over some reasons, books have not yet arrived. Steps are being taken to provide books to all students by April 3.”
PNN