In a recent development, a Parliamentary Standing Committee has called for the immediate release of funds under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) to Tamil Nadu. It has been revealed that since 2018, the Central government has disbursed a total of ₹10,443 crore to the State under this scheme.
The most recent data obtained through a Right to Information (RTI) query indicates that the last batch of funds received by Tamil Nadu from the Union government under the SSA was in the financial year 2023-24, amounting to ₹1,871 crore. However, a significant amount of ₹2,152 crore has been withheld by the Union government as Tamil Nadu has not agreed to the provisions of the National Education Policy, 2020.
Allocation of Funds and Program Evolution
Looking ahead, the project approval board has earmarked ₹3,586 crore for Tamil Nadu under the SSA for the upcoming financial year 2024-2025. It is worth noting that the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan was rebranded and integrated into the SSA back in 2018. Over the years, there has been a steady increase in funding, with ₹1,474 crore disbursed in 2018-19 and ₹1,871 crore in 2023-24, reflecting a 26% rise over a five-year period.
These funds play a crucial role in various aspects of education, including salary payments, teacher training initiatives, reimbursement to private schools as per the Right to Education Act, and the maintenance and transportation of school infrastructure, among other essential functions.
Challenges and Recommendations
The recent suspension of funds can be attributed to Tamil Nadu’s reluctance to adhere to certain requirements, such as implementing the three-language formula outlined in the NEP and signing an MoU related to the establishment of PM-SHRI (PM Schools for Rising India). This standoff has led to a delay in the funding flow, impacting the educational progress of children in the state.
A Parliamentary Standing Committee has raised concerns over the withholding of funds due to disagreements on MoUs for separate initiatives like PM-SHRI. The Committee has deemed this action unjustifiable and has urged the Union Ministry of Education to promptly release the pending funds under the SSA to Tamil Nadu.
P.B. Prince Gajendra Babu, the general secretary of the State Platform for Common School System-Tamil Nadu, has highlighted the fundamental right of children to receive free education. He expressed that the government’s delay in fund allocation is a violation of this right and adversely affects the educational development of children.
As we delve deeper into the intricacies surrounding the disbursement of funds under the SSA to Tamil Nadu, it becomes evident that the intersection of policy decisions, educational priorities, and financial allocations can have a profound impact on the learning outcomes of students across the state. The ongoing dialogue between the State and Union government highlights the complexities involved in ensuring equitable access to quality education for all.
