Lok Sabha Question No. 2526 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-18
Subject: Primary Schools in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Ganesan Selvam, Dhanush M Kumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION AND LITERACY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2526

ANSWERED ON 18 th  DECEMBER, 2023

## PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN TAMIL NADU

2526. SHRI SELVAM G: SHRI DHANUSH M. KUMAR:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) the total number of primary schools in the State of Tamil Nadu;
- (b) whether there is huge shortage of qualified teachers and lack of basic facilities in primary schools in rural areas in Tamil Nadu;
- (c) if so, the steps taken by the Government to improve the situation;
- (d) whether a limited number of primary schools are functioning in rural and remote areas of the country;
- (e) if so, whether the Government proposes to establish primary schools in rural and remote areas; and
- (f) the steps taken by the Government to strengthen the functioning of primary schools in the country?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (SMT. ANNPURNA DEVI)

- (a):    The  number  of  primary  schools  in  the  State  of  Tamil  Nadu  is  35062,  as  per UDISE+ 2021-22.
- (b)& (c):  As per UDISE+ 2021-22, the total number of primary teacher in rural areas of Tamil Nadu is 83052, out of which, the number of qualified teachers is 79457.

The recruitment and service conditions of teachers, are in the domain of the respective State Governments and UT Administrations.The recruitment of teachers in schools is a continuous process and the vacancies keep arising due to retirement, resignation and additional requirements on account of enhanced students' strength/new schools. The Central Government has been consistently pursuing the matter of expeditious recruitment and redeployment of teachers with the States and UTs. Advisories to maintain appropriate Pupil-Teacher Ratio (PTR) have been issued to States and UTs from time to time. States are provided financial assistance for the same under Centrally Sponsored Scheme, Samagra Shiksha.

The percentage of Primary Schools with basic facilities in rural areas of Tamil Nadu is given below:-

| Basic Facilities in primary schools in rural areas of Tamil Nadu   |   Percentage |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------|
| Electricity                                                        |       100    |
| Library or Reading Corner or Book Bank                             |       100    |
| Drinking Water                                                     |       100    |
| Handwash                                                           |       100    |
| Boy's Toilet                                                       |        99.95 |
| Girl's Toilet                                                      |        99.7  |
| Ramps                                                              |        78.5  |
| Handrails                                                          |        31.7  |
| Internet                                                           |        12.2  |
| Computer                                                           |        64.5  |

Under Samagra Shiksha scheme, financial assistance is provided to States for basic facilities viz. creation and augmentation of infrastructure such as classrooms, toilets  etc. based on the gap determined by Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE+) and proposals received from respective State/UT. A sum of Rs. 3711.75 lakh was allocated to State of Tamil Nadu for infrastructure facilities under Samagra Shiksha for the year 2022-23. In addition, as a special case, Rs. 23903.4 lakh  was  allocated  to  Tamil  Nadu  for  rejuvenation  of  basic  infrastructure  in  Govt. School for the year 2022-23. Further, a sum of Rs.14746.80 lakh has been allocated to State of Tamil Nadu for infrastructure facilities under Samagra Shiksha scheme for the financial year 2023-24.

The  scheme  also  provides  for  an  annual  recurring  school  composite  grant varying from Rs. 25,000/- to Rs. 1,00,000/- per annum depending upon the number of students, for all government schools. Each school is required to spend at least 10% of the composite school grant on activities including maintenance of toilets related to Swachhata Action Plan. The scheme also provides for annual maintenance and repair of existing school building, toilets and other facilities for upkeep of the infrastructure.

(d) to (f):  Out of a total of 7,60,460 primary schools in the country, the number of primary schools functioning in rural areas is 6,80,895 (i.e. 89.5%). Education is in the concurrent list of Indian Constitution and management of most schools is in the domain of States/UTs.

Samagra Shiksha Scheme supports creation of school infrastructure facilities including in primary schools through direct programme  funding  and  also in convergence with other relevant schemes of the Central and State Governments. A number of initiatives are taken by the Government to strengthen the functioning of primary schools in the country as follows:

- National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy (NIPUN Bharat) is being implemented under Samgara Shiksha for ensuring that every  child in the country  necessarily attains foundational  literacy  and numeracy by the end of Grade 2.
- Vidya  Pravesh  -  A  three-month  Play  based  School  Preparation  Module  for Grade-I Children, is in place to ensure that all children are exposed to a warm and welcoming environment when they enter Grade-I.
- NISHTHA Integrated Training  Programme has  been  introduced  for  different stages of school education for Teachers, Head Teachers/Principals and other stakeholders in Education Management.
- National Achievement Survey (NAS) is being conducted to evaluate children's progress and learning competencies as an indicator of the health of education system, to take appropriate steps for remedial actions at different levels.
- PM POSHAN Scheme is being implemented by the Ministry of Education for providing one hot cooked meal to children of Elementary level in Government and Government - aided Schools.

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