CG seeks opening of residential schools in naxal belts

During first meeting of national monitoring committee for education of SCs, STs and persons with disabilities at New Delhi

Raipur, June 27, 2012

State government has demanded that Centre should take initiative to open residential schools at high school and higher secondary levels in its naxal-infested regions. The demand was made by School Education Minister Brijmohan Agrawal during the first meeting of national monitoring committee for education of SCs, STs and persons with disabilities at Vigyan Bhawan New Delhi on Wednesday.

Agrawal informed that 45 percent of the state was tribal populated and affected by naxal violence. Hence, he said, the smooth operation of schools in Maoist-hit districts like Dantewada, Bijapur, Sukma and Narayanpur had deeply affected. “Presently, 500-seater residential schools up to class 8^th are being operated in these districts under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan but there is no such provision for high school and higher secondary school students,” he said. The Centre has assured to seriously consider over the state’s demand, informed Agrawal.

He further sought special encouragement fund for teachers so that they could be motivated to teach in tribal populated areas which lacked adequate teaching staffers. He suggested that the Centre should also think to provide housing facility to the teachers in tribal belts.

Similarly, to encourage girls from SC and ST categories to pursue studies after class 8^thAgrawal suggested that the Centre should make provision of funds to distribute bicycles, school dress and study materials.

He said the Centre should include professional education, career counselling, sports activities and science competitions under National Secondary Education Campaign.

For disabled students, he said the Centre should open residential schools like Kasturba Gandhi Vidyalays which should meet all their basic requisites.

Notably, the national monitoring committee has been constituted for the first time by the ministry of HRD to advise the Centre on all matters pertaining to education and its pursuit for SCs, STs and persons with disabilities. In addition, the national monitoring committee will review the functioning of various schemes launched by the ministry for the purpose of promoting SCs, STs and persons with disabilities in education.