No distribution of sweetmeats in govt schools for I-Day

Due to lack of funds with the education department, it has released no funds to government schools for the distribution of sweets. Teachers are pooling in funds to buy chocolates and sweetmeats

Independence Day is all about sweets and chocolates for kids. But, this tradition is under jeopardy today as the education department hasn’t released any funds for govt schools in the city. They have asked the teachers to pool in funds or look for donors instead. Government schools in the city use the monthly grant given by the education department to celebrate occasions like Independence Day and Republic Day.

According to official records, the monthly grant for high schools is Rs 7,000 and for Primary Schools is Rs 5,000. Within the allocated budget the school authorities have to pay their electricity, water bills, procure registers, records, progress reports, chalk pieces and other basic amenities. The meagre grant hardly covers their monthly expenses, many school principals are approaching donors for funds to celebrate Independence Day. Reportedly, a few school students were asked to contribute for the celebrations also.

Teachers are livid with the education department. “They will not release any additional grants/funds but we have to celebrate Independence Day. If we miss out, we will be served with a show cause notice. When we approached the District Educational Officer (D E O) he curtly said that government never said anything about releasing any funds for Independence Day or Republic Day and advised us to look for donors,” said an angry high school teacher.