Education

URI for this community

https://resourcerepository.azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/handle/apurr/428

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 67

Performance Audit on Functioning of Hostels for Backward Class Students in Maharashtra (2013-2018)
(CAG of India, 02-07-2019) CAG of India
The scheme of opening new Government Hostels for Backward Classes in all the taluka headquarters was envisaged in 2005-06. However, even after lapse of 10 years the Government hostels in 128 talukas were not opened. The population norms for opening of Government hostels in taluka headquarters were also not strictly followed. The intake capacity of the hostels shifted to new premises was also not revised and sanctioned resulting in deprival of benefit to students. As against 100 Government Residential Schools to be opened, only 83 schools were opened. There was short utilisation of funds against the grants released. Though the expenditure under plan heads was not commensurate with the demand and funds released by Social Justice and Special Assistance Department (SJSAD) in the last five years, the SJSAD continued to place demands for higher side every year without analysing the reasons for short utilisation of funds. Irregular expenditure of ` 14.16 crore without ensuring the fulfillment of conditions resulted in unfruitful expenditure of INR 24.78 crore due to non-imparting of computer training to the students. The hostels at regional levels having capacity of 1,000 students taken up in Nagpur, Mumbai and Pune remained incomplete. One unit of girls hostel at Latur though constructed in 2011 remained un-utilised. There was shortfall in supply of basic amenities in the Government Hostels and Government Residential schools. 42 girls hostels opened on the eve of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Jayanti were found short of proper infrastructure. The structural audits of the hostels which were more than 30 years old were also not undertaken. The rate of ‘Pariposhan Aahar’ payable to aided hostels was not revised commensurate with Consumer Price Index since 2012 onwards. There was discrimination in providing meals to the students residing in old Government Hostels and in new Government Hostels.
Undue Favour Extended to Contractor in Construction of Nivedita Bhavan (Headquarter of WBSEB)
(CAG of India, 04-07-2016) CAG of India
West Bengal Board of Secondary Education extended undue favour to the contractor by allowing irregular price adjustment of ₹ 96.44 lakh in construction of its office building (Nivedita Bhawan).
Unfruitful Expenditure on Non-Functional Student Hostels in West Bengal
(CAG of India, 04-07-2016) CAG of India
Thirteen hostels for minority students involving an expenditure of ₹ 11.34 crore could not be made functional even after four to thirteen years of their sanction leading to non-percolation of desired social benefits.
Performance Audit on Working of Burdwan University in West Bengal (2009-2014)
(CAG of India, 04-07-2016) CAG of India
The University of Burdwan (BU) has a jurisdiction spread over the districts of Bardhaman, Birbhum, Bankura and a part of Hooghly. The University has two faculties — Arts and Science -- encompassing 29 departments offering 38 post-graduate courses, six undergraduate engineering courses and seven diploma/ post diploma courses and three certificate courses. It has 163 colleges affiliated to it. The University also manages a professional college viz. University Institute of Technology within the University Campus. The performance audit undertaken between March and June 2014 covering the five year period 2009-14 brought forth deficiencies in the functioning of the University with respect to planning, management of funds, academic activities and oversight mechanism. 1. Absence of Perspective plan encompassing goals for teaching and learning, research and development and human resource planning impeded the overall functioning of the University. 2. There were several issues in respect of financial management. Adherence to due process was not ensured in Budget preparation. University obtained excess grants from the State Government by inflating the staff strength. Provident Fund was maintained without following crucial Government instructions such as creation of Pension fund, framing statutes for GPF, etc. Annual Statement of Accounts had not been prepared for the last 12 years indicating lax handling of financial affairs of the University. 3. The research activities of the University did not present an encouraging picture as research output was modest. The University also had deficiencies in the IT front as adequacy of IT infrastructure was not evaluated and policies for IT security not formulated. 4. There were shortages of class rooms, laboratories, etc. 5. The University‘s initiatives in enhancing access, relevance and quality of education were sub-optimal. There was only a marginal increase in intake capacity of the University in PG studies despite increasing demand. The University started only three new courses during last five years. Quality Assurance Cell meant for planning, guiding and monitoring quality assurance and quality enhancement was not functioning as mandated. 6. The University had noticeable shortage of manpower especially in teaching, leading to adverse teacher-student ratio which could affect the quality of learning. The recruitment process required streamlining as there was no regular system of reporting of vacancies and there were instances of flouting of recruitment norms. Adequate attention was not given to the capacity building of teaching staff. 7. Oversight was tenuous as the Inspector of Colleges, Faculty Councils for Post Graduate Studies and the State Government failed in discharging their mandated monitoring functions. Further, State Government was not fully cognizant of the state of affairs of the University as its representatives in the Court and the EC did not attend the meetings.
Performance Audit of Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan in Rajasthan (2013-2018)
(CAG of India, 06-03-2020) CAG of India
Government of India (GoI) launched Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) in March 2009 to make good quality education available, accessible and affordable to all young persons in the age group of 14-18 years and integrated (July 2013) implementation of Information & Communication Technology, construction of Girls Hostels, Inclusive Education for Disabled at Secondary Stage (IEDSS) and Vocational Education with RMSA from the year 2013-14. A Performance Audit of Implementation of RMSA conducted in 225 test checked schools of nine districts revealed following significant audit findings: 1. High-level task force and Core Groups were not constituted at state and district level respectively. Perspective plan was not prepared at district level and in 96 per cent of test checked schools, annual plans were not prepared. Out of 1,51,042, 34,065 habitations (22.55 per cent) did not have access to Secondary schools within the prescribed limit of five kms and 33.56 per cent of children remained out of the purview of secondary school. As a result, the vision of RMSA to ensure universal access of secondary education by 2017 was not fully achieved. 2. The Pupil Teacher Ratio (PTR) was more than the prescribed limit in 44 per cent of the test checked schools. This pointed to the asymmetrical distribution of teachers amongst schools, which was not reflected in the overall state level PTR. The prescribed minimum of five subject teachers were not posted in 62 per cent of the test checked schools. Out of 14,103 schools, State Government could not provide science laboratories in 10,216 schools, art/craft/culture rooms in 10,093 schools, computer rooms in 9,971 schools, library in 9,737 schools and playground in 5,340 schools even after lapse of nine years of implementation of RMSA. Further, no rooms for secondary classes were found available in eight out of 225 test checked schools and in 47 per cent of test checked schools, the classrooms were overcrowded with a student strength ranging from 51 to 167. 3. The Gross Enrollment Ratio in Classes IX and X in the State increased from 71.12 per cent (2013-14) to 78.87 per cent (2017-18), even though it could not attain the goal of universal access of Secondary Education by 2017. The dropout rate in Class IX in test checked schools was much higher than state average of 2.16 per cent. There was shortfall of 92.04 per cent and 80.58 per cent in imparting of in-service training for teachers and induction training to newly recruited teachers respectively during 2013-18. 4. In 155 test checked schools, ICT scheme was being conducted without dedicated teachers and any prescribed syllabus. 5. The significant migration of students from government schools to other management schools in Class IX points to need for the government schools to improve quality of education imparted.
Unfruitful Expenditure on Hostel Buildings in Bikaner and Pali, Rajasthan
(CAG of India, 06-03-2020) CAG of India
Non-utilisation of hostel building constructed at Bikaner and Pali for students of Specially Backward Class for over two to four years resulted in unfruitful expenditure of INR 1.89 crore.
Compliance Audit on Assam Textbook Production and Publication Corporation
(CAG of India, 06-04-2018) CAG of India
The Company did not have a robust internal control mechanism for procurement of text paper and printing of textbooks. As a result, there were delays in supply of textbooks beyond scheduled targets every year. There was lack of monitoring mechanism in assessment of requirement of text paper for printing of the textbooks, which led to accumulation of closing stock.
Performance Audit on Implementation of Right to Education Act in Andhra Pradesh (2010-2017)
(CAG of India, 06-04-2018) CAG of India
The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 became operational with effect from 01 April 2010 to make elementary education a right of all children. The RTE Act provides right to free and compulsory education to all children in the age group of 6-14 years in a neighbourhood school from class 1 to class 8. Government of Andhra Pradesh notified the AP Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Rules (RTE Rules), 2010. Performance Audit of implementation of the RTE Act in the State was conducted covering the period from inception (2010-11) to 2016-17. An overview of findings of this Performance Audit is given below: Conduct of Survey RTE Rules, 2010 stipulated that Local authority should maintain a record of all children through a household survey from their birth till they attain the age of 14 years and the data should be updated each year. Scrutiny of records in the test-checked schools revealed that no household survey was conducted during 2010-17 to identify all the children in the age group of 6-14 years. (Paragraph 2.2.4.1) School mapping and neighbourhood schools RTE Rules provided for Mapping of schools to identify and establish Primary and Upper Primary schools within the neighbourhood (i.e., one and three km respectively from the habitation). Government had not conducted mapping of schools. (Paragraph 2.2.4.2) Targets for Enrolment and Trends of enrolment Government organised programmes like Badi Bata, Badi Pilustondi, Mana Vuru-Mana Badi to enroll students in Government Schools. However, the Gross Enrolment Ratio in respect of Primary classes decreased from 91 per cent in 2010-11 to 83 per cent in 2016-17. (Paragraphs 2.2.4.4 and 2.2.4.5) Dropout rate of children Child tracking system to monitor retention and academic progress of children, which the State Government had committed in 2010-11, was still not in place. (Paragraph 2.2.4.8) Pupil-Teacher Ratio There were no teachers in 1,014 Primary schools and 37 Upper Primary schools during 2016-17. Services of teachers from neighbouring schools/ Vidya Volunteers were being utilised in these schools. Audit observed in sampled schools that shortage of teachers was mainly in Mathematics, Science and Social Studies subjects which affected the performance of the children. (Paragraph 2.2.4.11) Supply of Uniforms Uniforms were to be supplied to children during June-August every academic year. Audit observed that uniforms were not supplied to 37 per cent of children in the test-checked schools. Audit observed in test-checked districts that during 2010-17, school uniforms were supplied during the months of December-April. (Paragraph 2.2.4.17) Appointment of Chartered Accountants A Selection committee was to select Chartered Accountant (CA) firm and the Executive Council of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) was to approve it. However, the Principal Secretary, School Education approved the appointment of Chartered Accountants without committee’s involvement from 2011-12. (Paragraph 2.2.5.7) State Advisory Council RTE Rules, 2010 envisaged constitution of a State Advisory Council chaired by the Minister for School Education to advise the State Government on implementation of the provisions of the Act in an effective manner. The Council was to meet once in every three months. Government constituted the Council belatedly in 2014, after four years of implementation of the Rules/Act. However, the Council had not conducted any meeting as of July 2017 due to pre-occupation of Council members. (Paragraph 2.2.6.1) Conclusion Comprehensive household survey of children in the age group of 6-14 years was not conducted. Government had not designed Geographical Information System (GIS) mapping to identify the availability of schools in the neighbourhood of habitations as stipulated. There was shortage of teachers at both Primary and Upper Primary levels. Infrastructure deficiencies continued. Department had not taken adequate steps to improve the learning levels and performance of students. Government was yet to achieve the objective of the ‘Right of Children to free and compulsory education’ Act.
Unfruitful Expenditure on Women's Hostels in Polytechnics in Andhra Pradesh
(CAG of India, 06-04-2018) CAG of India
Injudicious selection of Government Polytechnics for construction of buildings for women’s hostels without need analysis resulted in idle infrastructure and wastage of resources. The expenditure of ₹ 5.65 crore incurred on eight hostel buildings remained unfruitful. Another two buildings constructed at a cost of ₹ 1.78 crore were being used for other purposes defeating the objective of the scheme.
Thematic Audit on Appointment, Promotion and Pay-Fixation of Teaching Staff in Higher Education in Karnataka (2006-2017)
(CAG of India, 06-07-2018) CAG of India
The audit covering the period 2006-07 to 2016-17 was conducted during April to August 2017 to assess whether the norms/guidelines prescribed by UGC/ AICTE/ MCI for appointment as well as extension of pay scales to the teaching staff were complied with. The methodology adopted included test-check of service records of teaching staff at the Commissionerate, Department of Collegiate Education and Medical Education, Directorates of Collegiate Education and Technical Education and Universities.
Excess Distribution of Uniforms in Karnataka
(CAG of India, 06-07-2018) CAG of India
In five districts there were huge variations in the number of students to whom uniforms were distributed under Vidya Vikasa Yojane during 2015-16 and 2016-17 when compared to the student strength as per U-DISE data. This indicated that there was a possibility of excess distribution of uniforms worth INR 1.72 crore in five districts.
Performance Audit of Post Matric Scholarships for Scheduled Caste Students (All India Report 2012-2017)
(CAG of India, 07-08-2018) CAG of India
At the request of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, a performance audit of the implementation of the scheme covering a period of five years from 2012-13 to 2016-17 in five States of Karnataka, Maharashtra, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh was undertaken by audit. The total expenditure incurred in the scheme in the five States was INR 18,647 crore during the period 2012-17 benefitting 1.36 crore students from the SC community. The performance audit of the implementation of the scheme brought out systemic gaps in scheme guidelines themselves as well as lack of planning, poor financial management and irregularities in disbursement of scholarship funds with a financial implication of ` 581.68 crore as well as discrepancies and inconsistencies in data generated through the web portals with an additional financial involvement of ` 455.98 crore that pointed to the need for a thorough review of the scheme guidelines as well as its implementation so as to ensure that the scheme funds were not misused or diverted for other purposes. Scheme guidelines, critical for laying down mechanism for various processes, were found deficient in many aspects. No mechanism was prescribed for any of the planning exercises of preparation of action plan/perspective plan for identification of eligible beneficiaries before submission of proposals for central assistance to the Ministry nor did the guidelines prescribe any timelines for submission of application by students and their scrutiny and approval. Consequently, there were delays in payment of scholarship to 18.58 lakh students ranging between one to six years in four States of Maharashtra, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. The guidelines also do not contain any provision for monitoring and evaluation that are essential for decision-makers to realistically evaluate the progress of the scheme and identify impediments to its efficient implementation. The implementation of the scheme was constrained by inadequate allocation of funds by the Central Government as well as poor financial management by the States. Government of India could not meet the growing demand for funds from the States which resulted in accumulation of arrears amounting to INR 5,368 crore in the five selected States. Even the available funds could not be fully utilised in three States of Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh with INR 375.30 crore remaining undisbursed due to mismatch of bank details which resulted in depriving eligible students of the scholarships. Further, INR 28.94 crore of scholarship funds was diverted in Karnataka and Maharashtra for maintenance of e-scholarship portal and purchase of stationery, computers, etc., during 2012-17. The States also failed to ensure adherence to the scheme guidelines relating to eligibility of beneficiaries and procedures for processing of applications and disbursal of scholarship funds. Audit noted short reimbursement/denial of scholarship amounting to INR 125.82 crore in three States of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Punjab. There was excess payment of scholarship of INR 49.67 crore to 1.88 lakh students in Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh during 2012-17 due to incorrect application of rates. In Uttar Pradesh, 374 ineligible students were reimbursed scholarship of INR 1.95 crore during 2012-17. Non-adherence to the scheme guidelines relating to revision of income ceiling by Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh with effect from academic session 2013-14 resulted in denial of benefit to eligible students in the States. The States of Punjab, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh were also not covering certain components of the scholarship viz. thesis allowance, book allowance, disability allowance, study tour charges. The Ministry was unable to implement PMS-SC through National Scholarship Portal due to technical issues and decided to implement the same through State portals. However, the State portals lacked both general and application controls required for ensuring access security and providing assurance that transactions are valid, authorized, complete and accurate. In Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh, audit noticed discrepancies in data generated by the State portals with financial implication of INR 455.98 crore that necessitates a comprehensive investigation by Ministry as well as States to obviate the risk of irregular payment and malfeasance. Institutional mechanisms for monitoring and grievance redressal including internal audits, periodic inspections and appointment of grievance redressal officers were either not in place or practically non-operational. The Ministry had also not carried out any comprehensive evaluation of the implementation of the scheme to identify changes needed to enhance its effectiveness and ensure achievement of its objectives.
Performance Audit of Tribal Sub Plan All India Report (2008-2014)
(CAG of India, 08-12-2015) CAG of India
In view of specific provisions contained in the Constitution of India for protection and development of Scheduled Tribes, a number of legislative and executive measures have been taken by the government since independence. Successive five year plans attempted to bridge the gap between the living conditions of the general population and the Scheduled Tribes. The main aim of the TSP strategy formulated by the central Government in 1970s was to narrow the development gaps of the tribal population with the rest of the country. Tribal sub plan in fact, is a planning strategy and not a programme by itself, incorporating, at present, 28 ministries and departments and its implementing agencies at the central and state levels. We had received requests from various stake holders including parliamentarians, stressing that an audit of programmes and schemes meant for comparatively backward sections of society especially schedule tribes was called for. In the past Audit Reports containing findings on programmes and schemes for benefit of scheduled caste (SCs) and scheduled tribes (STs) were submitted by us but Tribal Sub‐Plan, as such had not been the focus area of any of our recent Reports. TSP guidelines were extensively revised in the year 2010. We therefore decided to take up this audit during 2014‐15. Auditing TSP was challenging due to its vast scope. We have, therefore, focussed on selected components of education and health sectors only. This Report contains result of audit of the implementation of TSP and delivery of schemes and programmes funded through it for the benefit of tribal population. We noted that the earmarked TSP funds under various schemes and programmes of 28 central ministries and departments were not channelized at the state level for utilisation towards the benefit of tribals. Our audit of sample districts with significant Scheduled Tribes presence noted absence of need based planning for tribals leading to deficient infrastructure and facilities for health care and lack of support to ST students in critical areas of education sector. The Report brings out in detail the status of implementation of TSP strategy and makes recommendations for its better governance. This report has been prepared for submission to the President under Article 151of the Constitution of India. The audit has been conducted in conformity with the auditing standards issued by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
Performance Audit on Functioning of Residential Schools & Hostels for ST Students in Madhya Pradesh (2012-2017)
(CAG of India, 10-01-2019) CAG of India
During the years 2012-13 to 2016-17, State Government incurred INR 2,686.12 crore on functioning of residential schools and hostels for scheduled tribes (STs). However, residential schools and hostels were deficient in infrastructure, such as inadequate accommodation for inmates as well as staff, cots, dinning space, toilets, incomplete construction works, etc. Tribal Affairs Department increased seats in 247 pre-matric hostels without any actual increase in the accommodation capacities of these hostels. Residential schools had substantial shortage of teachers, which affected the quality of education. Collectors failed to ensure regular health check-up of inmates. Commissioner Tribal Development furnished fictitious utilisation certificates of INR 113.84 crore in respect of grants-in-aid received from Government of India during 2012-13 to 2016-17. Audit also noticed untraceable advances of INR 6.03 crore which were released to Collectors eight to 15 years back, besides violation of codal provisions in purchases. The instances mentioned in this Report are among those which came to notice in the course of test audit for the period 2016-17 as well as those which came to notice in earlier years but could not be reported in previous Audit Reports; instances relating to the period subsequent to year 2016-17 have also been included, wherever necessary.
Idle Expenditure on Construction of Hostel for SC ST Girls in Uttarakhand
(CAG of India, 10-12-2019) CAG of India
After incurring expenditure of INR 2.59 crore, the college could not use the constructed hostel for SC/ST girl students due to absence of security and staff and the hostel building remained idle since January 2015.
IT Audit of Online Examination System of West Bengal Central School Service Commission
(CAG of India, 11-07-2019) CAG of India
West Bengal Central School Service Commission (WBCSSC) was constituted in November 1997 under West Bengal School Service Commission Act, 1997. It was entrusted with the recruitment process of teaching and non-teaching staff in Government aided schools in West Bengal by conducting Regional Level Selection Tests (RLSTs). From 2009, WBCSSC introduced an online system for conducting the recruitment process named as Integrated Online Examination System. A Performance Audit of WBCSSC was conducted during January and July 2017 covering seven RLSTs to obtain an assurance that adequate controls were in place to ensure confidentiality, integrity, transparency and reliability of the system. The audit revealed certain inadequacies in the implementation process, described below: 1. Best practices for development of system like User Requirement Specification, System Development Life Cycle, Data dictionary and Virtual Private Network connectivity were not followed which was likely to result in non-achievement of desired objectives. 2. Access controls were not properly defined and enforced resulting non-fixation of responsibility for errors of omission and commission. 3. The shortcomings of the system were used to intentionally manipulate the results to illegally benefit ineligible candidates. Changing the caste category, increasing the marks of academic scores, improperly escalating written examination marks, etc. of ineligible candidates would be tantamount to cheating. 4. Deficiencies in mapping the business and fundamental rules in the system deprived eligible candidates the scope to appear in the Personality test.
Thematic Audit on Construction and Maintenance of Hostels for SC Students in Karnataka (2013-2018)
(CAG of India, 11-10-2019) CAG of India
The State Government had not brought out any guidelines for construction of hostels. The non-construction of hostel at Byadgi and the incomplete work at Betagera indicated lack of proper planning/prioritisation in constructing the hostels. The number of students accommodated in the hostels in the State exceeded the envisaged capacity. This was because the State Government directed (July 2013) the Social Welfare department to accommodate all SC students who have sought admission for the hostels, irrespective of the sanctioned strength of the hostels. Out of 190 test-checked hostels in 16 taluks, 74 hostels (39 per cent) were accommodating more students than the capacity. In 10 hostels, the crowding was to the extent of more than 100 per cent. On the other hand, 85 hostels (45 per cent) of the hostels were under-utilised. In 18 hostels, the extent of underutilisation was less than 10 per cent and in 30 hostels, it ranged between 12 to 25 per cent. While the extent of under-utilisation in 26 hostels ranged between 26 to 50 per cent, it was 53 to 83 per cent in the balance 11 hostels. It was also seen that crowding was more in girls’ hostels as compared with the boys’ hostels. The exemption provided under clause 4(g) of the KTPP Act, 1999, violated the guidelines of Central Vigilance Commission and was against the judgement of the Hon’ble Supreme Court. This led to indiscriminate entrustment of works on nomination basis to the agencies. There were delays in commencement and completion of works by the constructing agencies. In violation of the codal provisions, the department entrusted 12 works estimated to cost INR 45.63 crore to these agencies without ensuring the availability of sites. The department had not furnished the details of repair/ renovation works taken up during the period 2013-14 to 2015-16. Further, 376 (50 per cent out of 755 works taken up during 2016-17 and 2017-18 with a stipulated period of six months’ completion were yet to be completed. There were instances of nonexecution of repair/ renovation works which were incorrectly reported as being completed. There were deficiencies in providing facilities such as cots, beds, mattresses, toilets and bathrooms to the inmates of the test-checked hostels. The tendering process was not compliant with the provisions of the KTPP Act, 1999. The evaluation of tenders was not consistent with the criteria spelt out in the tender documents. Awarding several works in excess of the capacity of the contractors led to chronic delay in execution of works. Funds were released in lump sum to the construction agencies without effecting statutory deductions and Further Security Deposit (FSD) resulting in nonrecovery of INR 14.86 crore towards income tax and INR 37.16 crore towards FSD. The constructing agencies retained the savings realised on construction of works without remitting it to the department. The construction agencies/department officers did not comply with the various instructions stipulated in the sanction orders leading to absence of effective monitoring.
Performance Audit of Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan in Karnataka (2013-2018)
(CAG of India, 11-10-2019) CAG of India
The Government of India (GoI) launched the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) with an objective to improve access, quality and equity by providing access to secondary and higher secondary schooling within reasonable distance through improved physical facilities and qualified teachers and also by giving special focus to girls, scheduled caste and tribal children and differently abled children in the age group of 14-18 years. A Performance Audit of the RMSA scheme during the period 2013-14 to 2017-18 was conducted to assess whether the above objectives were achieved and we observed the following: 1. Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan Samithi, Karnataka (RMSASK) could not absorb the available funds in a timely manner. The utilisation of funds during 2013-14 to 2017-18 ranged between 30 and 55 per cent. The scheme’s intervention was mainly focused on upgradation/strengthening of schools as 56 per cent of allocation was towards it leading to the neglect of other components such as computer aided education, procurement of laboratory items, furniture, etc. (Paragraph 2.1.6) 2. In order to improve access, the Perspective Plan of Karnataka envisaged that secondary and higher secondary schools to be within reasonable distance. However, as at the end of March 2018, 4,361 habitations did not have access to secondary education. In addition, the perspective plan had envisaged to realign the structure of school education with the national level pattern by 2017 but the higher secondary continued to be under the Pre-University Board. Hence, both the targets were not achieved. (Paragraph 2.1.7.1) 3. The target set in the Perspective Plan for enhancing quality in secondary education through infrastructural facilities like sufficient classroom, laboratories, library, separate toilet for girls and boys etc., were yet to be achieved. Due to delay in executing civil works, out of 2,396 schools taken up for upgradation/ strengthening during 2009-10 to 2017-18, only 1,740 schools were completed with 140 works in progress and balance 516 yet to be taken up. As of March 2018, RMSASK had not taken up any major/minor repairs though 1,367 and 1,494 schools respectively were in need of repairs. While the classroom student ratio of the Government schools was well within the prescribed ratio of 1:40, school-wise analysis showed that out of 4,677 Government schools run by Education Department, 2,721 schools had ratio ranging between 1:41 and 1:69. [Paragraph 2.1.8.1 (a) (c) (e)] 4. The Pupil Teacher Ratio (PTR) of the State was well within the prescribed ratio of 30:1. However, in 874 schools, the PTR ratio was more than 30:1 as there was no monitoring in deployment of teachers at school level. Though RMSA specified that subject-wise teachers were required to be deputed in every school, it did not ensure proper balance of teachers as 642, 491 and 500 schools out of 15,666 schools did not have teachers for core subjects viz., mathematics, science and social science respectively. [Paragraph 2.1.8.3 (b) (c)] 5. In 342 schools of eight test-checked districts, we noticed the following:  lack of sufficient classrooms in 22 schools;  65 schools did not have both science as well as computer laboratories;  though 199 schools claimed to have library facilities, 99 schools did not have separate library facilities;  though all the schools except one had toilet facilities, toilets lacked maintenance in many (52 out of 163) schools; and  in 73 out of 252 aided and unaided schools, even though the infrastructure and teaching facilities were not in accordance with the norms prescribed by the State, recognitions of the schools were renewed. [Paragraph 2.1.8.1 (e) & 2.1.8.2] 6. Due to delay in construction of model schools as well as recruitment of teachers in these model schools, the schools were yet to reach the standard of Kendriya Vidyalaya. Though RMSA envisaged Vocational Education for enhancing employment opportunities, the State is yet to integrate the Vocational Education into the secondary education system as the students were neither assessed nor issued with proficiency certificate. [Paragraph 2.1.10 (1) & (2)] 7. The State was able to improve the participation of children in secondary education from 75 per cent in 2009-10 to 82 per cent in 2017-18, however, it was yet to achieve the target of 100 per cent GER by 2017. The GER of girls, SC and ST children was at 83, 79 and 73 per cent respectively against GER of the State at 82 per cent. Though the State had not achieved target of 100 per cent as envisaged in the Perspective Plan of Karnataka, it had ensured almost equitable participation from the special focus group in secondary education. However, it had not monitored the participation of differently abled children in secondary education. (Paragraph 2.1.9.2 & 2.1.11.2) 8. Due to ineffective bottom-up planning, the annual and perspective plans were not need based and realistic. This coupled with deficient monitoring at all levels led to non-achievement of objectives of the RMSA basically in improving access and quality of secondary education. Thus, the impact of RMSA on secondary education was not visible in terms of financial and outcome indicators when compared to State’s intervention. (Paragraph 2.1.12)
Compliance Audit on Infrastructure and Human Resources Management in Elementary Schools run by PRIs in Gujarat
(CAG of India, 11-11-2014) CAG of India
The compliance audit on Infrastructure and Human Resource Management in Elementary Schools run by Panchayati Raj Institutes revealed that the GoI and state government's share of ₹ 2212.68 crore under SSA was curtailed due to under-utilisation of funds of funds on various activities such as training of teachers and construction of school buildings, toilets, boundary walls etc. A number of elementary schools were running without buildings and basic amenities guaranteed under RTE Act though sufficient funds were available. The information of availability of separate toilets for boys and girls, drinking water facility in elementary schools was incorrectly reported. Many schools are functioning without requisite number of teachers and 57 schools were functioning without any teacher. Shortage of teachers and head teachers was noticed in Upper Primary Schools. Increasing preference for private schools vis a vis government schools and increase in drop outs could be attributed to inadequate infrastructural facilities, lack of basic amenities, and lack of teachers. There are important areas needing urgent attention of state government.
Performance Audit on Functioning of Primary Educational Institutions in Karnataka
(CAG of India, 13-12-2024) CAG of India
Primary education provides the foundation for all learning. The Constitution of India and the Right to Education (RTE) Act 2009 declares primary education as a fundamental right of every child between the ages of 6 and 14 years in India. Similarly, the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the United Nations, views primary education as a fundamental human right that should be available to all children. The National Education Policy 2020 approved by the Government assimilates the goals of SDG 4 emphasizes the importance of providing education that is relevant to the needs of the 21st century. During the period 2017-22, State Government spent ₹69,070 crore towards primary education. The Performance Audit was undertaken to assess whether the State was able to provide access to primary education to all children, whether equity in learning opportunities by way of providing learning opportunities to disadvantaged groups was ensured and whether interventions by the State government had enhanced the quality of learning at the primary level.