Right to education targets: Three states demand more funds
By IANSThursday, June 10, 2010
NEW DELHI - Andhra Pradesh, Chhatisgarh and Orissa Thursday sought more funds from the central government for implementing the Right To Education (RTE) Act.
At a meeting with Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal, education ministers from the three states urged the government to release more funds for the purpose.
Their demand comes after Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal also sought increased allocations for implementing the act.
Sibal seperately met Andhra Pradesh minister Manikya Varaprasadh, Chhatisgarh minister Brijmohan Aggarwal and Orissa minister Pratap Jena and asked them to bridge the infrastructure gap to meet the goals of the act.
According to a statement from the ministry, Sibal asked the states to assess infrastructural gaps in existing schools, undertake mapping for establishment of neighbourhood schools and also establish school management committees.
“Teacher recruitment and formulation of syllabus was also taken up,” a ministry official said.
Orissa has 2.24 lakh sanctioned posts of teachers out which about 24 percent are vacant. Chhatisgarh has nearly 21 percent of posts vacant while Andhra Pradesh has 16 percent posts empty.
