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The Union budget earmarks Rs.31,036 crore for elementary education during 2010-11 in addition to Rs.3,675 crore approved as per the 13th Finance Commission award. Thus the Central govern-ment outlay for elementary education aggregates to a mere 0.56 percent of GDP in 2010-11. Although this year’s plan allocation is 14.5 percent over and above the allocation of 2009-10, it is grossly insufficient to meet shortfalls of access to schooling, classrooms, teachers, buildings, repairs and maintenance, other infrastructure facilities, special programmes for girls and socially disadvantaged minorities, teacher training and other quality-focused programmes. Nor can any meaningful contribution be expected from state governments. Over 85 percent of their education outlays are consumed by teachers and staff salaries on the non-plan account.
RTE blindspot. In August 2009 Parliament passed the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act (RTE). The Act is liberal in terms of units-linked provision of schools, classrooms, teachers and physical infrastructure facilities even as it is facilitative in terms of provision of library, laboratory and other supportive academic facilities. However Budget 2010-11 hasn’t made any provision for the implementation of RTE.
Glaring needs. There are 1,035,178 government primary and upper primary schools in India, i.e 80 percent of the total. An estimated 133.21 million children aged six-14 years attend government schools. Basic facilities in these schools are in short supply. For instance:
• There are 137,161 (13.25 percent) single teacher elementaries in India. In addition 239,954 upper primaries ‘manage’ with only three teachers teaching six subjects.
• 3.97 million teachers manage the 1.035 million government elementary schools, an average pupil-teacher ratio (PTR) of 34. However, 280,000 schools countrywide have a PTR of more than 40.
• Of 3.97 million teachers in government elementaries, 500,000 (12.61 percent) are para teachers without formal training.
• Of the total 1.035 million government elementary schools, 12 percent lack drinking water facility, 33 percent lack common toilets, 46 percent girls’ toilets, 59 percent ramps and 64 percent are without electricity.
• 293,073 upper primary schools (28 percent) are without computer connectivity.
• 585,494 (56 percent) of government elementaries don’t have kitchen sheds.
Last August (2009) at the invitation of EducationWorld, I presented a detailed calculus to equip every government elementary (primary and upper primary school) in need with a laboratory, library and lavatories. To attain that laudable and overdue objective, using Union HRD ministry approved construction costs, I estimated an aggregate outlay of Rs.53,386 crore. If additional facilities such as electricity connections, drinking water, additional classrooms, kitchen sheds and computer labs are provided to elementaries in need, an additional Rs.46,522 crore is required — adding up to an aggregate outlay of Rs.99,908 crore.
This required outlay of Rs.99,908 crore is in addition to this year’s budget allocation of Rs.31,036 crore. However other desirable expenditure under the heads of teachers, teacher training, children with special needs, girls and other special focus groups, is not included.
(Prof. A.S. Seetharamu is former professor of education at ISEC, Bangalore and advisor to the Karnataka state government)