Rs 75 Lakh Allocated for Sports Equipment in Haryana Government Schools

The Haryana School Shiksha Pariyojana Parishad has allocated Rs 74.85 lakh for the purchase of sports equipment in government schools across the district. However, teachers are worried about the tight deadline, as the funds must be utilized by March 31, giving school committees very little time for procurement.

According to official data, the district has 764 government schools, including 478 primary schools, 137 upper primary schools, 61 secondary schools, and 88 senior secondary schools. The funding has been distributed based on school levels, with primary schools receiving Rs 5,000 each, upper primary schools getting Rs 10,000 each, and secondary and senior secondary schools allocated Rs 25,000 each. 

School-Level Committees Formed for Procurement

The Parishad has directed district project coordinators to form committees at the school level for purchasing sports equipment. These committees include the chairperson of the school management committee, school head, sarpanch or councillor, one SMC member with a sports background, assistant education officer, and physical education teacher. 

While teachers' unions have welcomed the funding, they've expressed concerns about the limited time available for proper procurement, as the budget was reportedly released only a week ago. 

Teachers' Union Raises Concerns

Amit Chhabra, state spokesman of the Rajkiya Prathmik Adhyapak Sangh, voiced his concerns about the rushed timeline: "It's a good initiative by the government to provide funds for sports equipment based on school requirements. But they've barely given a few days for committees to make purchases. For smooth procurement and to ensure quality at good prices, at least one month should have been given to compare prices and quality. With such limited time, committees may make hasty purchases or risk losing the funds." 

Education Officials Optimistic 

Despite these concerns, District Elementary Education Officer (DEEO) Sudhir Kalra, who also serves as District Project Coordinator in Ambala, remains positive about the initiative. 

"For the first time, a budget has been released giving committees the freedom to purchase sports equipment based on their specific needs. If a school lacks ground facilities, the committee can buy indoor games for students instead. School management committees were informed about the budget distribution in a timely manner, and we're confident they'll complete the procurement and submit utilization certificates," Kalra stated.

This initiative aims to enhance sports facilities in government schools, but the success of implementation may depend on how efficiently the committees can work within the tight deadline.