Ranchi: Tribal students in Jharkhand had
been given books free of cost in two academic years, but the
books remained untouched as there was no qualified teacher to
teach them in tribal languages.
The government had in 2003 decided to introduce tribal
languages for class I to V and printed books on the basis of
manuscripts prepared by the Tribal Welfare Research Institute
(TWRI) and distributed them among the students in 2004-05 and
2007-08 on non-returnable basis.
But the students could not utilise the books printed
in five different tribal languages in the absence of qualified
teachers to teach the languages, the Comptroller and Auditor
General of India (CAG) pointed out in its report ending March
31, 2008.
Printing and distribution of books worth Rs 1.05 crore
without the support teaching staff nor making the languages a
part of the syllabus resulted in the wasteful expenditure, the
report said.
Failure to appoint teachers for teaching tribal languages
in particular scripts prior to free distribution of the books
defeated the very purpose of promoting education in tribal
languages, observed the CAG report.
Similarly, the National Programme for Nutritional Support to Primary Education, commonly known as Mid-day Meals (MDM)
also suffered due to inflated enrollment figures, lack of
infrastructural facilities, under-utilisation and
Mismanagement of funds, according to the CAG report.
Revealing that Cooking fund of Rs 21.92 crore remained
unutilised, the report said during the period 2004-08 lifting
of food grains against the allotment was short by 24 per cent.
Twelve per cent to 34 percent children were not covered
under MDM---this was despite inflated reporting of enrollment
and expenditure reported on non-existent Education Guarantee
Scheme and Alternative and Innovative Education, the report
concluded.
Similarly, the National Programme for Nutritional Support
to Primary Education, commonly known as Mid-day Meals (MDM)
also suffered due to inflated enrollment figures, lack of
infrastructural facilities, under-utilisation and
Mismanagement of funds, according to the CAG report.
Revealing that Cooking fund of Rs 21.92 crore remained
unutilised, the report said during the period 2004-08 lifting
of food grains against the allotment was short by 24 per cent.
Twelve per cent to 34 percent children were not covered
under MDM---this was despite inflated reporting of enrollment
and expenditure reported on non-existent Education Guarantee
Scheme and Alternative and Innovative Education, the report
concluded.
Bureau Report
