Lucknow: A high level review of the Basic Education Department has outlined key directives to enhance foundational education across council schools in Uttar Pradesh. The meeting focused on ensuring 100% school attendance, streamlining infrastructure use, and initiating timely teacher recruitment.
As part of the agenda, the direct benefit transfer (DBT) of `1,200 allocated for student uniforms, shoes, stationery, and study materials is to be credited to parents’ bank accounts without delay. Officials were instructed to ensure this aid is disbursed with full transparency and within the designated timeframe to prevent any disruption in learning materials for students.
Efforts to improve enrolment through the 'School Chalo Abhiyan' are also being reinforced. Local School Management Committees, including principals and village heads, are tasked with ensuring that all children between the ages of 6 and 14 are enrolled and attending school regularly.
To address gaps in infrastructure, districts have been directed to immediately provision essential resources for schools lacking basic facilities. Schools with more than 50 students will continue to function independently to maintain administrative efficiency and educational oversight.
The school pairing model was reviewed as a means to optimize resource use. Vacant school buildings resulting from this pairing are to be repurposed for Bal Vatikas (pre-primary schools) or used to house Anganwadi centers. A district-level survey will be conducted to identify suitable buildings, and the transition is expected to be completed within a fixed timeframe.
The review also emphasized the importance of maintaining an ideal teacher-student ratio. All departments have been directed to submit requisitions for vacant posts immediately, and recruitment is to be completed in a time-bound manner.
The overall objective of these measures is to strengthen the quality of basic education, ensure efficient use of infrastructure, and expand access to early childhood care and education across the state.
