Pb finalises plan to spend Rs 3,500 cr on flagship edu schemes

Punjab government today finalised a plan to spend Rs 3,541 crore on flagship education schemes like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rasthriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan( RMSA) and mid-day meal programme.
The approval for annual work plan (or budget) for these flagship schemes for 2016-17 was accorded during the Executive Committee meeting for these schemes held under the chairmanship of Punjab Chief Secretary Sarvesh Kaushal.
Under SSA, Rs 1770.96 crore are planned to be spent including Rs 541 crore on teachers' salary, Rs 344 crore on additional classrooms, Rs 200 crore on civil works, Rs 64.69 crores on toilets and drinking water, Rs 160 crore on academic support, Rs 63 crore on computer-aided learning and Rs 64 crore on uniforms, an official spokesman said here.

It was decided to issue children school uniform specifications to all schools for final procurement, he said.
Under RMSA scheme, Rs 1,422 crore will be spent across the state including Rs 152 crore on additional classrooms, 47 integrated science labs, 66 libraries, 87 Art and Craft rooms, 535 toilets, teachers' salaries of upgraded schools and meritorious schools, Rs 322 crore on ICT, Rs 20 crore on inclusive education, Rs 33 crore on girls' hostels and Rs 240 crore on vocational education, he said.
Under mid-day meal scheme, the plan to spend Rs 348.33 crore was approved, he said.
The plan included mid-day meal to 9,81,887 primary students and 7,06,507 upper primary students.