[ad_1]
Last Updated:
Funds were released to states that signed the MoU and it is well known that Tamil Nadu has serious objections to specific provisions of the NEP 2020 (File photo)
In a letter to Modi, Stalin said every year funds are released based on the approval of the Project Approval Board (PAB).
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Tuesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to personally intervene to expedite the process of releasing pending grants under the Samagra Shiksha Yojana – a comprehensive programme for school education.
Drawing the Prime Minister’s attention to reports that the first instalment under Samagra Shiksha has not been released to Tamil Nadu and some other States, he said that timely release of funds for this centrally sponsored scheme is of utmost importance.
In a letter to Modi, Stalin said every year funds are released subject to the approval of the Project Approval Board (PAB) for ongoing programmes, payment of salaries to teachers and new initiatives aimed at improving the quality and outcomes of education.
He said, “Accordingly, an allocation of Rs 3,586 crore has been made for the state for 2024-25, out of which the share of the central government is Rs 2,152 crore (60 per cent).”
Though the proposals were submitted in April 2024 itself, there was a delay in releasing the first instalment of Rs 573 crore. Also, the Centre has to release the outstanding amount of Rs 249 crore for the previous year.
He said in the letter that the current move of the Government of India to stop funding under the SS Scheme will directly impact the education of millions of children from disadvantaged backgrounds and the teacher community and is against the declared objective of the SS Scheme, which is that ‘no child should be denied the opportunity of education’.
He said, “Recently, it has been observed that the Central Government is trying to add full implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) in PM SRI schools as a condition for sanctioning funds under the ongoing SS scheme.”
Funds were released to the states that signed the MoU and it is well known that Tamil Nadu has serious objections to specific provisions of the NEP 2020.
“The state’s request to make minimal amendments in the MoU to align with PM Shri schools has not been accepted yet. As you are aware, progressive states like Tamil Nadu have initiated and implemented several path-breaking schemes and programmes in both school and higher education,” Stalin said.
Further, due to regional differences in socio-economic conditions, infrastructure, resources etc. it is necessary that States have adequate powers in the implementation of policies affecting children in matters relating to education, as education has been placed in the Concurrent List of the Constitution of India, he said.
(This story has not been edited by AyraNews24x7 staff and is published from syndicated news agency feeds.) PTI,
[ad_2]
