PANAJI
Only two new primary schools have submitted the necessary documents to qualify for the one-time grant which was announced by the State Government for the upliftment of Marathi/Konkani medium primary schools.
“The two schools “ Shri Shanta Vidyalaya Primary School in Sodiem, Siolim and Bhatikar Model Primary school, Margao have submitted the required documents that the Department had sought and soon they will be released the grants”, an official informed.
The Directorate of Education had written to 30 Marathi/Konkani medium primary schools across the State asking them to send details of the schools as per the format prescribed to release the one-time grant.
These grants comprise of a one-time grant of Rs 12 lakh and maintenance grant of Rs 5 lakh to be released over a period of five years with Rs 1 lakh per annum.
In all, 57 primary schools were opened across the State after the State Government had introduced the Medium of Instruction (MoI) policy in 2012. Of these 40 are Marathi medium while 17 are Konkani medium primary schools. Of these 57 schools, 30 had forwarded their applications for release of grants.
While in 2012-13, 23 primary schools were opened of which 17 were in Marathi and 6 in Konkani medium; in 2013-14, 20 Marathi medium and 10 Konkani medium schools were opened; in 2014-15 two Marathi schools were opened and during the current academic year one Marathi and one Konkani schools has been started.
Education Department had asked for documents like “ copy of certificate of registration and renewal of society, approval copy of school managing committee, copy of resolution passed by the school managing committee stating that finance is required for renovation/construction of a new building/compound wall/purchase of land/development of playground, etc.; documents with clear title of land where the construction/renovation is to be done along with purchase document; certified copy of cost/estimate by registered engineer/chartered accountant; approved copy of the plan by the Town and Country Planning Department and construction licence from competent authority.
