Educators have expressed concern over the delay in releasing grants for civil works in government schools, alleging that teachers are being forced to bear the financial burden of repairs and maintenance despite assurances of administration funding.
Under the government's Shikhya Kranti effort, the civil works include repairs to boundary walls, flooring, washrooms and classrooms. Several educators have reportedly spent lakhs of rupees on these works, while others have purchased construction material on credit from vendors. With the promised grants yet to reach school accounts, teachers are struggling to recover their expenses and clear outstanding dues.
Government Teachers Union (GTU) state president Sukhwinder Singh Chahal noted the Education Department had approved the estimated cost of civil works in August and directed schools to begin work, assuring educators that the finances would be released shortly.
"Acting on these assurances, we procured construction material from vendors and paid labourers from our pockets. However, the grants are still awaited. Vendors are now demanding their payments, leaving us in a difficult position," Chahal noted.
Furthermore, union leaders Rajesh Kumar Amloh and Jagtar Singh Faizullapur said educators had been informed during meetings with the officers that 60 per cent of the grant had been cleared and would soon be credited to school accounts.
The union leaders said teachers began the work in good faith, relying on the department's assurances but the delay had left them facing financial difficulties. They questioned why teachers should have to arrange funds for administration school infrastructure in spite of the government's claims of improving education under its Shikhya Kranti campaign.
Under financial stress
We purchased construction material on credit and paid labourers from our own pockets after being assured that finances would be released shortly. With grants still pending, vendors are demanding payments and educators are under financial stress.
— Sukhwinder Singh Chahal, GTU state president
