With the State government sanctioning Rs.23.16 crore for providing functional toilet and drinking water facilities in all government schools, the Right to Education Forum-Andhra Pradesh plans to contribute to the Swachh Bharath-Swachh Vidyalaya campaign to the extent possible. There are disparities in the number of government schools and functional toilets existing in the district, MLC M.V.S. Sarma said at a meeting organised by the forum in the city on Tuesday.
“Unless all departments are involved in the campaign, it is difficult to see any progress,” he said.
“A committee will be formed to identify gaps in the system and plug loopholes by conducting a surprise inspection in government schools,” State convener of the forum Narava Prakasa Rao said.
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Existence of school management committees, functional toilets and their maintenance, drinking water facility, and qualification of teachers would be checked during the surprise inspection.
“There is no clarity in the actual amount allocated for constructing toilets,” speakers said, and called for greater transparency in the allocation of funds.
Aganwadi centres should be attached to elementary schools, professor in the Department of Social Work, Andhra University, R.D. Sampath Kumar, said, and called for an inclusive approach to enforce RTE Act.
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Periodical meetings would be held to discuss the progress of Swachh Bharath-Swachh Vidyalaya campaign based on the committee’s report and the suggestions would be sent to the District Collector and the HRD Minister.