1.46 lakh students to get school uniforms in dist

Aurangabad, Dec 10:

Students of class I to VIII are given two uniforms every year under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA). Although no schools have been started this year, 1.46 lakh students will be given one uniform each.

*Rs 4.38 crore will be spent for the distribution of one uniform each

Students from scheduled caste, scheduled tribe and below poverty line are given uniforms every year through SSA. Last year, 1.43 lakh students were given two uniforms each. This year, a fund of Rs 8.77 crore has been sanctioned by the Maharashtra state council of educational research and training for the district. However, as the schools are closed due to coronavirus, on November 20, the state government has instructed to distribute only one uniform instead of two. Funds of Rs 4.38 crore will be spent for the distribution of one uniform each. Zilla Parishad received Rs 3.42 crore from SSA. Therefore, another fund of Rs 69.7 lakh will be required. The file has been sent to the chief executive officer Dr Mangesh Gondawale and further process will be as per his decision. A dress is expected to cost around three hundred rupees. In all, 2,87,542 uniforms were distributed last year.

Distribution through school

management committee only

The school management committee is funded for cloth and stitching. Therefore, the responsibility of distribution will be borne by the concerned teachers of the school and the school management committee after the funds are disbursed. The decision has not yet been made due to lack of clear guidance. The process of purchasing cloth and taking measurements for sewing uniforms will begin after approval of funds.

Students do not come to school as the school has not started yet. Funds received for uniforms do not cover the uniforms of students in 9 tehsils. Another Rs 69.7 lakh has been sought. Funds will be distributed to school committees in 8 tehsils except rural Aurangabad. The remaining funds will also be available before school starts, said education officer, Suraj Prasad Jaiswal.

Students from 1st to 8th in the district:

Boys: 41,457

Girls: 1,04,860

Total: 1,46,317