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Indian Express
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Infra gaps, unspent funds flagged in implementation of Centre's Samagra Shiksha Scheme at Delhi schools
Unspent funds, incomplete classroom and toilet projects, gender gap in enrolments, and large numbers of teacher vacancies —these were among the concerns raised during a recent meeting of the Project Approval Board (PAB) as it reviewed the Delhi's Annual Work Plan and Budget for the implementation of Centre's Samagra Shiksha Scheme at government and government-aided schools in the Capital. Delhi spent just 62.66% of the total funds available in the previous financial year, the Board noted. 'The UT (union territory) needs to ensure timely expenditure of available funds,' the PAB said, adding that this is essential for the release of further instalments. For the year 2025–26, the PAB has approved a total allocation of Rs 84,504 lakh, with Rs 47,042 lakh to be released as the Centre's share. Expressing alarm at the lack of progress on key infrastructure work, the Board noted that not a single unit from the additional classrooms (347), girls' toilets (47), or boys' toilets (40), which were approved between 2018–19 and 2023–24, had been built. The Delhi government has been urged to complete the pending works within this fiscal year. 'There is a pendency in infrastructure facilities since inception in the UT…UT was urged to come up with a concrete plan of action for completing the not-started works within the time frame or for surrendering the work that was not started,' it said. The Centre also asked Delhi to initiate social audits covering 60% of government schools in 2025–26. The PAB meeting on March 12 saw participation of officials from the Ministry of Education as well as the Delhi government. The minutes of the PAB meeting were made available on Wednesday. The PAB also flagged 36.44% vacancies in academic posts across Delhi's District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs), responsible for teacher training. 'Considering the important role of these institutions in empowering teachers, the vacant positions of the DIET may be filled on priority to strengthen them…the release of funds under the DIETs of Excellence scheme will be contingent upon filling up of vacancies latest by June 30, 2025,' the Board warned. Meanwhile, only 3.93% of Delhi's Samagra Shiksha Budget is allocated to teacher education, it pointed out. The Board asked the government to 'focus more on secondary education and teacher training' for balanced distribution of resources. 'The UT needs to improve GER (gross enrollment ratio) and NER (net enrolment ratio), especially at the higher secondary level,' the Board underlined and noted that 57.06% of total students in the Capital are enrolled in government schools, which make up about 49% of all schools Referring to Delhi's Gender Parity Index (GPI) at 1.13 at the senior secondary level, showing significantly more girls than boys in school, the Board advised the government to study the 'mismatch and underlying causes.' Inclusive education for children with special needs (CWSN) also emerged as one of the concerns. Children with special needs make up just 1% of the student population, with numbers falling from Class 8 onward. Moreover, only 21% of teachers are trained in inclusive practices, and Delhi has just 29 special educators. The Board said the city must align with the guidelines set by the National Education Policy 2020 and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act 2016. On skill education, the PAB highlighted that just 32.56% of schools offer vocational training. Further, of 2,693 recognised schools in Delhi, only 1,197 have solar panels. The Board advised the city to speed up installations. The PAB for the Samagra Shiksha Scheme is responsible for reviewing, approving, and monitoring the annual work plans and budgets submitted by states and UTs to ensure effective implementation of the scheme.
Express Tribune
30-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Beyond the patriarchy
In the Shakespeare play 'The Merchant of Venice' the character Shylock highlighted societal discrimination: 'If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?' The prevalent gender inequality in Pakistan, in the words of Shakespeare, owes to societal discrimination. The gender disparity in Pakistan is abominable. Women alongside transgenders are being treated unequally on multifaceted grounds: social, political and economic. There is also a growing gap in employment opportunities owing to the glass ceiling. Concomitantly, women in politics remain on the back foot and get elected on quota. Similarly, the lack of health facilities has increased the mortality rate of mothers and children. Therefore, the impacts of gender inequality are immense. Gender-based violence is one of them and it continues to haunt marginalised gender in Pakistan. Pakistan's rating on the Gender Parity Index speaks volumes about gender inequality; Pakistan stands at 142 out of 146 countries (2023). The question arises as to why there is such an inordinate figure in the context, despite Pakistan's strong commitment to adhere to democratic norms. A worm's eye view of Pakistan's patriarchal society helps in answering it. Patriarchy prevails from bottom to top in all spheres and is deeply ingrained in society, further posing serious challenges in overcoming gender inequality. However, not all is lost. Gender inequality can be abated. The silver lining lies in farsightedness. The panacea to this discrimination lies in pragmatism; pragmatism lies in smart choices; and smart choice lies in absolute compliance with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals i.e. SDGs. Concerted efforts are required to abolish patriarchy, empower women and achieve gender parity – for us to rise as a nation. Ramsha Ashraf Islamabad
