919 habitats in 35 districts to benefit, Yet another primary education bonanza on Guru PurnimaBhopal:Friday, July 18:Education Minister Shri Jagannath Singh has announced that satellite schools would be opened in Madhya Pradesh. He was addressing a function organised by Madhya Pradesh Teachers’ Association here today on the occasion of Guru Purnima.
Importantly, these satellite schools would be opened in the current academic session in 919 habitats which are devoid of primary education facility. With this, the scheme of the state government to provide primary education facility in every one kilometre radius would also take a concrete shape. The state government has also reduced requisite number for opening a primary school from 25 to 10 students for these schools.
The state government was toying with idea of opening satellite schools for the last several months. The responsibility of chalking out a plan to this effect was entrusted to Rajya Shiksha Kendra commissioner Shri Manoj Jhalani under the guidance of Principal Secretary School Education Shri M.M. Upadhyaya. As many as 919 habitats in 39 districts were selected for the scheme. These were the place where primary education facility was not available in one kilometre radius even though alternative arrangements were made by starting non-residential Bridge Course. But both state and Union governments wanted a permanent arrangement in these areas. But the biggest hurdle was the rule that a primary school can be started with at least 25 students. However, the state government which is committed towards expansion of education, relaxed this rule the reduced the minimum number of students to ten and this did the needful.
Every satellite primary school would have classes from one to five and would be conducted by a contractual teacher grade-III. Thirteen out of 35 selected districts are tribal-predominant. Therefore, appointment of contractual teachers grade-III 394 schools would be made by Tribal Development Department while appointments in rest of 525 schools in 22 districts would be done by Directorate of Public Instructions.
Rs five thousand annual grant is proposed to be given to every satellite school with a view to ensuring other facilities. Rs 500 annual teacher’s grant would also be provided. In the first year of inception of a satellite schools, Rs ten thousand would be spent on the purchase of teaching-learning equipment.
Free textbooks would provided to the students of these schools while the girl students would also get free uniform. The teacher appointed at satellite school would be imparted induction training in the first year and other training during the service period. Separate building is being constructed for each satellite school.