LAGATAR24 NETWORK
Ranchi, Nov 28: The images of school children going to school early in the morning wearing sweaters and jackets marks the advent of winter. However, over 13 lakh students in government schools were yet to be provided with sweaters and shoes as per data on November 22.
The Jharkhand Education Project made funds available to the respective districts for this in August itself. Along with this, instructions were also given to open the bank accounts of the children and make the amount available.
Earlier, the department had also asked the districts to ensure that all students in government schools be provided with the newly designed uniforms by November 15, however, this did not happen within the set time limit. Now, the children are now forced to go to school without sweaters and shoes.
As per information, a total of 38,29,076 students in the state were to be given uniforms along with sweaters as per uniforms. Out of these, only 24,49,980 students have received either the amount for the uniforms and winter wear or the uniforms themselves so far. This means, 13,79,096 children are still forced to go to school in the winter without sweaters, shoes and socks.
Notably, the students from classes I to V are provided Rs 600 for two sets of uniforms, one sweater and shoes-socks. At the same time, children from VI to VIII grade are given Rs 400 for dresses, Rs 200 for sweaters and Rs 160 for shoes and socks. Of this, a total of Rs 600 are given by the Government of India for children’s dress. Meanwhile, the state government gives Rs 160 for shoes and socks to the children of classes VI to VIII.
It is worth noting here that in government schools, 60 percent of the amount is given by the central government and 40 percent by the state government for the uniforms of all classes for girl students, SC and ST students up to the eighth grade. This amount is provided under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan. Meanwhile, the amount for uniforms for all the remaining students is provided by the state government.
In terms of percentage, 80 percent of students have been given uniforms in Ramgarh, 79 percent in Pakud, 79 percent East Singhbhum, 77 percent in Simdega, 74 percent in Deoghar, 74 percent in Garhwa, 73 percent in Seraikela, 73 percent in Khunti, 71 percent in Ranchi, 70 percent in Gumla 70, 68 percent in Giridih, 67 percent in Jamtara, 66 percent in Koderma, 65 percent in Latehar, 65 percent in West Singhbhum, 64 percent in Palamu, 60 percent in Bokaro, 59 percent in Dumka, 59 percent in Dhanbad, 57 percent in Chatra, 51 percent in Godda, 46 percent in Hazaribagh, 39 percent in Lohardaga, and 37 percent in Sahibganj.
As far as the reason behind this is concerned, officials have claimed that the students don’t have access to funds because they don’t have bank accounts. As per sources, about 50 lakh students are enrolled till the 12th standard in the state. Of these, about 17 lakh students have not yet opened their bank accounts. As a result, the students have not been able to get the amount.
