http://oheraldo.in/node/10039
It pays to teach, painful to study BY HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, FEB 18 — It pays to teach and is painful to study in Goa. And figures speak for themselves with the Department of Education in Goa having a major problem at hand. That of funding its vast staff of 12,508 employed at the various government and aided educational institutions in the State. The reason over 95 percent of the budget allocated to the Department of Education is spent on the salaries of staff and teachers and other perks and schemes, and only a mere 5 percent goes towards the infrastructure and maintenance of the schools. Director of Education, Celsa Pinto admits, "salaries do account for a major part of the budget. This is because the government gives assistance to various schools, which are aided by it. Funds are also required to conduct training programmes for teachers. We are doing our best to get financial assistance from the Centre through various schemes." In Goa there are 82 government institutions including 73 schools and nine higher secondary schools. In addition to this, there are 292 government aided schools and 67 government aided higher secondary schools. The strength of the staff and teachers at these institutions is 12,508, according to figures released by the Education Department. The budget for the Education Department is seen to be unevenly divided. The budget for the education department (school and higher secondary) for 2005-2006 is Rs 269 crores. Out of this Rs 256 cr is towards salaries, travel allowances, rent and also education schemes such as the Cyberage Scheme, Mid Day Meal Scheme among others. The rest Rs 13 cr is towards infrastructure and maintenance, which accounts for five per cent of the budget. The previous education secretary had mentioned these figures during a presentation on the "Education scenario of Goa". Earlier, Minister for Education, Luizinho Faleiro had also highlighted that a small fraction of the budget goes towards maintenance, repairs and minor works of schools. Due to this some of the schools especially those in rural areas lack sanitation and drinking water, fans, and electricity among other basic amenities. As for the schools which require repairs, Education Secretary, Ramesh Negi said that the estimates have been drawn and arrangements for the repairs are in the process. Negi said that there is no shortage of funds as far as repairs of schools are concerned. However, the procedure for repairs does take long. -- Peace be with you! Ani borem mog khor! Gabe Menezes. London, England
