Nod to revised RTE-SSA funding ratio
In an effort to implement the Right To Education Act, the revolutionary law guaranteeing education as right to children between six and 14 years, the government approved the revision of the funding pattern for the combined RTE-SSA (Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan) programme between the Centre and the states in ratio of 65:35 and 90:10 for the eight Northeastern states.
The Centre had to bow before political pressure being applied by non-Congress ruled states, as also the BJP-ruled states, who had asked for a reduction in their share of expenditure in implementing the act. This paper had first reported on June 9 that the Centre was contemplating to change the funding pattern to 65:35 from the existing 55:45. Among the non-Congress ruled states who were seeking a greater Central share and a reduction in their spending on the Right To Education Act are Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Orissa.
The Expenditure Finance Committee under finance ministry had in July agreed to fund the sharing formula keeping in view demands of states for higher assistance from the Centre to implement the RTE Act.
The government also approved revision of existing norms of the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan programme to bring it in conformity with the act. The revised SSA norms, vetted by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, includes provision for teachers and classroom, support for academic supervision, research evaluation and monitoring and opening of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas. New norms under the SSA for uniforms, transportation costs and residential schools to implement the combined RTE-SSA programme have also been included.
There will be a requirement of `2.31 lakh crore in the next five years for implementing the RTE Act which came into force from April 1 this year.
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