SSA in doldrums in Nabarangpur
For a plan to be successful, a clear strategy and a sincere manpower is needed. But the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan, in Nabarangpur, seems to lack the above requirements. No wonder, the project has failed to achieve the desired results in the district..
By: BASANT RATH, JOURNALIST. Merinews.com 8 Apr, 2008 22:52:15 IST Views: 830.
THOUGH RUPEES 35 crore have been spent on district primary education programme (DPEP) and sarva shiksha abhiyan (SSA) during the last three years in Nabarangpur, the project is yet to make an impact. A recent survey indicates that about 70,000 students from Nandahandi, Tentulikhunti, Papadahandi, Dabugam, Jharigam, Raighar, Chandahandi, Kosagumuda, Umerkote, and Nabarangpur blocks are yet to taste the fruits of the programme.
With the project failing to make the desired progress, the dropped out child labourers have been forced to migrate to other areas in search of work. The lack of publicity and the lackadaisical attitude of the officers have defeated the very purpose of the programme. Allegations are rife that more than Rs 40 lakhs have been siphoned away by the officials concern. Tribal leader and former MP Bhagban Majhi has demanded a high-level enquiry into the alleged misappropriation of the funds meant for SSA.
The project aims at bringing the teenage and dropout students back to the schools for primary education. According to a recent survey by the district SSA officials under the child tracking system, the SSA project did not respond well in Nabarangpur, Papadahandi, Nandahandi, Tentulikhunti, Kosagumuda, Dabugam, Jharigam blocks besides in the Nabarangpur Municipality, and Umerkote NAC area.
While the official survey of the year 2003-04 put the number of dropout students, yet to receive the primary and upper primary education, at 1,99,271, the figure decreased to 1.80 lakh students in 2004-05.
At present, officially, more than 70,000 students are yet to receive the benefits of the project but unofficial sources put the number at double that figure. However, the drop out percentage of the district is said to be the lowest in the state.
Deprived of the basic amenities, more than 70,000 tribal children either venture into forests to collect firewood, or work in eateries, hotels and shops, to earn a living. What is baffling is that despite the state government’s claims of spending crores of rupees to tackle food insecurity, malnutrition, child labour and to give impetus to SSA there has been no improvement in the living standard of the people.
Despite huge investment of funds, the results leave much to be desired- thanks to alleged mismanagement and bungling of funds. While the allegations of corruption have been flying thick and fast, the government remains a mute spectator. What is more worrying is the silence of the MLAs and the MPs.
For the revitalisation of the administrative structure and to create a citadel of education, cluster education officers and block level research coordinators have been designed at the panchayat level for the universalisation and implementation of elementary education education. But unfortunately, the teachers never visit their panchayats or schools. Though they are appointed as teacher in the education department, they never teach in their respective home schools.
The district administration has claimed to initiate measures to develop infrastructure in the primary and the middle schools but these welfare measures are yet to reach the schools. More than 500 schools of the remote areas lack the basic facilities and it is the teachers playing truant who are the root cause of the problems at most of the schools.
The parents have alleged a nexus between the teachers and the project staff.
The SSA, including national child labour project (NCLP), has failed to benefit the actual child labourers who are reeling under acute poverty in this tribal -dominated district.
Tribal leaders have demanded the initiation of proper steps for the rehabilitation of the child labourers who have become jobless, and provision of more facilities under the NCLP by opening more schools in the district. They have also demanded a strict vigil, on part of the district administration, on the functioning of the project.
The senior citizens said that the quality of education is nowhere as compared to what is was 10 years ago and pointed at the dwindling teacher strength in majority of the schools. SSA has flopped in this tribal dominated district and the dropout rate is on the rise
01 September 2009
SSA in doldrums in Nabarangpur
For a plan to be successful, a clear strategy and a sincere manpower is needed. But the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan, in Nabarangpur, seems to lack the above requirements. No wonder, the project has failed to achieve the desired results in the district..
By: BASANT RATH, JOURNALIST. Merinews.com 8 Apr, 2008 22:52:15 IST Views: 830.
THOUGH RUPEES 35 crore have been spent on district primary education programme (DPEP) and sarva shiksha abhiyan (SSA) during the last three years in Nabarangpur, the project is yet to make an impact. A recent survey indicates that about 70,000 students from Nandahandi, Tentulikhunti, Papadahandi, Dabugam, Jharigam, Raighar, Chandahandi, Kosagumuda, Umerkote, and Nabarangpur blocks are yet to taste the fruits of the programme.
With the project failing to make the desired progress, the dropped out child labourers have been forced to migrate to other areas in search of work. The lack of publicity and the lackadaisical attitude of the officers have defeated the very purpose of the programme. Allegations are rife that more than Rs 40 lakhs have been siphoned away by the officials concern. Tribal leader and former MP Bhagban Majhi has demanded a high-level enquiry into the alleged misappropriation of the funds meant for SSA.
The project aims at bringing the teenage and dropout students back to the schools for primary education. According to a recent survey by the district SSA officials under the child tracking system, the SSA project did not respond well in Nabarangpur, Papadahandi, Nandahandi, Tentulikhunti, Kosagumuda, Dabugam, Jharigam blocks besides in the Nabarangpur Municipality, and Umerkote NAC area.
While the official survey of the year 2003-04 put the number of dropout students, yet to receive the primary and upper primary education, at 1,99,271, the figure decreased to 1.80 lakh students in 2004-05.
At present, officially, more than 70,000 students are yet to receive the benefits of the project but unofficial sources put the number at double that figure. However, the drop out percentage of the district is said to be the lowest in the state.
Deprived of the basic amenities, more than 70,000 tribal children either venture into forests to collect firewood, or work in eateries, hotels and shops, to earn a living. What is baffling is that despite the state government’s claims of spending crores of rupees to tackle food insecurity, malnutrition, child labour and to give impetus to SSA there has been no improvement in the living standard of the people.
Despite huge investment of funds, the results leave much to be desired- thanks to alleged mismanagement and bungling of funds. While the allegations of corruption have been flying thick and fast, the government remains a mute spectator. What is more worrying is the silence of the MLAs and the MPs.
For the revitalisation of the administrative structure and to create a citadel of education, cluster education officers and block level research coordinators have been designed at the panchayat level for the universalisation and implementation of elementary education education. But unfortunately, the teachers never visit their panchayats or schools. Though they are appointed as teacher in the education department, they never teach in their respective home schools.
The district administration has claimed to initiate measures to develop infrastructure in the primary and the middle schools but these welfare measures are yet to reach the schools. More than 500 schools of the remote areas lack the basic facilities and it is the teachers playing truant who are the root cause of the problems at most of the schools.
The parents have alleged a nexus between the teachers and the project staff.
The SSA, including national child labour project (NCLP), has failed to benefit the actual child labourers who are reeling under acute poverty in this tribal -dominated district.
Tribal leaders have demanded the initiation of proper steps for the rehabilitation of the child labourers who have become jobless, and provision of more facilities under the NCLP by opening more schools in the district. They have also demanded a strict vigil, on part of the district administration, on the functioning of the project.
The senior citizens said that the quality of education is nowhere as compared to what is was 10 years ago and pointed at the dwindling teacher strength in majority of the schools. SSA has flopped in this tribal dominated district and the dropout rate is on the rise
