Without local funds, govt schools face financial crisis
Friday, 10/08/2012
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120810/punjab.htm#11
Patiala:Punjab government’s decision to not charge government school students a nominal amount of Rs 90 per month has led to a severe shortfall in local funds in all government schools.
Now girls till class XII and boys till class VIII do not have to pay this amount. Schools spent this money to meet their daily expenses and pay for water and electricity supply.
With the discontinuation of these funds, school principals are finding it difficult to run the schools.
The situation has become so miserable that school teachers have started seeking the support of philanthropists and NGOs to meet the school’s running expenses.
When asked, a government school principal said, “We used local funds to meet the school’s running expenses. These funds were utilised to pay bills, organise cultural activities and send excursion trips. Now we are facing a financial crisis.”
Another teacher from a bigger school complained, “How are we supposed to pay for electricity bills that run into thousands. We are shelling out money from our pockets to pay for stationery, chalk and fuel for generators but how long can we sustain this. The condition of middle schools is even worse.”
