Rising People’s Party (RPP) has rubbished School Education and SCERT adviser KT Sukhalu’s proposal to lift the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act by terming it as a bid to cover up the misdeeds of the Department of School Education (DoSE).
Reacting to the suggestion that revenue from alcohol sale be used to overhaul the health and educational sector, the party in a statement claimed that DoSE had no dearth of funds, adding that the problem was poor management, poor leadership and fraudulent withdrawal of funds.
It cited the instance of the NECTAR project under implementation since April 2021 to “improve and enhance government schools” for which it claimed the World Bank and Central government had given the department Rs 629 crore.
Further, under Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), RPP said the Centre had poured in enough funds – more than Rs 14 crore – to upgrade the infrastructure of government schools. (See table)
Mentioning that the data was “just the tip of the iceberg”, the party suspected that funds released under RMSA could be much higher.
Under RMSA, RPP said the average funding was Rs 58,12,000 for each school. However, according to documents/pictures in its possession, the party alleged most of the constructed schools were pathetic.
The party cited the example of Government High School Solumi, Kiphire constructed with wooden materials at a cost of Rs 58,12,000, which it termed as criminal.
RPP also demanded that Sukhalu should explain to the public why there was a syndicate working overtime in his department.
Mentioning that M/s Khedi Trade & Development Agency, Kohima was awarded the contract to “upgrade” 45 schools in five districts under RMSA, the party said the adviser should explain whether any tender was floated. It also asked him to clarify to the public how much fund had been released under RMSA to date.
Under the circumstances, the party termed the adviser’s claim of shortage of funds for poor performance of government schools as disingenuous and ludicrous.
“The reality is the DoSE is probably one of the State’s dirtiest department after taking into account the prevalent proxy teaching system, ghost teacher appointment, teachers’ attachment to SDEOs/DEOs, PD system, GT promotion controversy, non-payment of salaries, etc,” the statement concluded.
