Uttar Pradesh has estimated an expenditure of Rs 30,000 crore in implementing the Right to Education Act 2009 across the state. The Act calls for free and compulsory primary education to children between six and 14 years.
Replying to a question, Uttar Pradesh Basic Education Minister Dharam Singh Saini said at the ongoing budget session of the state assembly, Rs 30,158 crore was needed for appointing teachers, school staff and creating necessary infrastructure for three years under the regulation of the Act.
While Rs 4,405 crore are estimated to be spent on infrastructure, Rs 25,753 crore is estimated for salaries and other expenses. He said the government had prepared its action plan in this regard and further actions were being undertaken.
According to estimates, the state would need 10,000 and 5,000 new primary and upper primary schools, respectively to be manned by 35,000 new teachers. Almost 150,000 new classrooms would be added to the existing schools.
Besides, over 2,05,000 and 28,000 additional primary and upper primary teachers would be appointed under the Act. Support staff totalling over 41,000 would be required in upper primary schools with student strength of over 100. At the same time, school uniform would have to be provided to almost 14 million students in the state.
In the current financial year, the state has sent a Supplementary Plan proposal comprising construction of additional classrooms and boundary walls, strengthening of block resource centres, school uniforms, appointment of teachers and other staff, to the Centre and the Central government has approved the Plan of Rs 1,870 crore. However, no funds have been received yet and the state would start working towards implementing the Act, once the money was released by the Centre.