Smart class programme is an unsuccessful scheme: AAPSU

Itanagar, April 30: While alleging that the State government initiated smart classroom programme as the most unsuccessful scheme ever without proper electricity and Wi-Fi facility, the State’s apex students’ body – All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU)— has suggested that Rs 35 crore fund sanctioned against it should be used for the maintenance of State-run schools. 

The AAPSU’s suggestion came after it came across the ‘poor’ condition of the government-run schools during its recent week-long educational tour to various parts of State, including Capital Complex, Lohit, Namsai and West Siang districts.

A press note from the apex students’ body stated that during its week-long educational tour to assess the problems faced by the government-run schools, the AAPSU found that many schools were functioning under miserable conditions and struggling due to lack of adequate facilities.

AAPSU vice president (protocol) Dr Tayuk Sonam said, “The infrastructures such as MDM kitchen, office building, all weather classrooms, sanitation and drinking water facilities were found missing in most of the schools. Some schools even share classrooms for lower sections due to the non-availability of classrooms. Some classrooms have to be shifted during rainy season because of the leaking roofs.”

“Students don’t have books to read and there is no proper washroom facility for girls,” he lamented.

“We have around 5,697 government schools in our State, out of which 3,318 schools are under State Education Department and 2,379 schools are under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA). Almost all the schools are in same condition. Despite these problems, in the  recent budget proposal for 2018-19, the State government has allocated only Rs 100 crore for the maintenance of schools and  colleges under the Chief Minister’s Samast Shiksha Yojana, whereas a huge amount of funds are being sanctioned for irrelevant schemes,” the AAPSU stated.

In this regard, the AAPSU appealed to the State government for the maintenance of schools and supply of textbooks before the start of new academic session. The AAPSU also suggested that the government should install biometric attendance system in all government-run educational institutes to check and control the irregularity of teaching and non-teaching staffs.