Surviving on Credit — How 65,000 Govt Schools in Rajasthan Are Struggling to Stay Afloat Before March 31

Jaipur- With just 16 days left until the end of the financial year on March 31, principals of 65,000 government schools in Rajasthan are under immense stress. Only 16% of the allocated funds have been released so far, leaving schools struggling to pay for basic necessities like electricity and water bills, toilet cleaners, and other essential expenses.

The Composite School Grant (CSG), which is meant to cover expenses such as utility bills, cleaning supplies, furniture, and stationery, has not been fully disbursed this year. Typically, schools receive this grant in December or January, but this year, only 16% of the funds have been released, leaving 84% of the budget pending.

Principals have been managing expenses out of their own pockets or through borrowed supplies since April, hoping to repay the debts once the grant is released. However, with the financial year ending soon, vendors and suppliers have started calling to demand payments, adding to the pressure.

Students Suffer Due to Delayed Schemes

The financial crisis has also impacted nearly 80 lakh students enrolled in these schools. Essential student benefits such as free uniforms, textbooks, bicycles, and scholarships have been delayed. For instance, in the current academic session 2024-25, students are yet to receive their school uniforms, even though wearing them is mandatory. Similarly, bicycles under the free bicycle scheme were distributed in November instead of July.

Scholarship payments are also pending, with the application process still ongoing. Ironically, students often receive their scholarships only after completing their academic year, leaving them without financial support when they need it most.

Several government schemes, including free uniforms, bicycles, textbooks, and milk distribution, are running behind schedule. For example, under the tablet scheme, meritorious students in classes 8, 10, and 12 were supposed to receive tablets by July 2024, but they are yet to receive them. Similarly, the Indira Shakti Fee Reimbursement Scheme, which covers fees for girls studying in private schools from classes 9 to 12, has not been implemented this year.

Om Prakash Saraswat, former Joint Director of Secondary Education in Rajasthan, emphasized, "Education is every child's fundamental right. Government schemes should benefit students on time. If uniforms, bicycles, or scholarships are provided at the end of the academic session, their purpose is defeated. The government must create a strict calendar for implementing these schemes and ensure timely execution."

The financial crisis in Rajasthan's government schools and the delayed implementation of essential schemes are severely impacting the education system. Both school principals and students are bearing the brunt of this mismanagement. The government must take immediate steps to address these issues and ensure that every child's right to education is upheld.