BHUBANESWAR: TheComptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has exposed the poor quality of basic education provided in Primary and Upper Primary Schools in the State.
Analysing the latest study conducted by Odisha Primary Education Programme Authority (OPEPA) in language, mathematics and social studies in six sample districts, it says students in a number of schools are unable to write alphabets and read words.
The study was conducted covering 17,887 students of Class-II, III, VI and VIII in 666 Primary Schools and Upper Primary Schools in 2014-15.
As per the CAG finding, of 4,426 Class-II students in 333 primary schools, 16 per cent children could not read letters while 80 per cent children could not read words.
Similarly, 4,320 students of Class III secured mean average of 52 per cent marks in language paper and the result of three out of six districts sampled was below the State average.
In case of Class VI, 4,983 students were evaluated with mean average for six districts being 42.55 per cent. In Mathematics, the learning achievement varied from 27 to 41 per cent. In social studies, the achievement varied from 27 to 39 per cent.
Of 4,158 students assessed in Class VIII, only one district reached the level of 50 per cent achievement in language subjects against mean average of 48.75 per cent. In social studies, 65 per cent of students scored less than 40 per cent. Achievement level in mathematics was below 40 per cent in all the six districts.
Even as the the Right to Education (RTE) norms clearly prohibit single teacher schools, the audit observed cases of irrational deployment of teachers in 11 States, including Odisha.
As many as 2,023 schools were functioning in the State with single teacher each during 2015-16. In the districts surveyed by the CAG, it was found that 85 schools with 2,379 students were managed by single teacher.
The audit has also found cases of irregularities in procurement and disbursement of text books and uniforms. Against the requirement of 2.77 crore of free textbooks during 2014-15 for 54,99,796 students of Class I to Class VIII in Government and aided schools, only 2.69 crore of books were supplied, resulting in short supply of 7.5 lakh books.
It says 59,710 students did not receive full set of books during the year and 1,38,636 students of Class IV to VIII received the books partly.
Odisha is among eight States where the CAG unearthed blocking of funds meant for infrastructure development by various agencies. As many as 135 infrastructure works were not started even after four to seven years of approval, resulting in blocking of `5.22 crore.
The money is lying idle as the schools lacked preparedness and there was absence of need-based planning. Lack of community participation and improper monitoring by District Project Coordinators (DPCs) were also noticed.
Audit findings
Study covered 17,887 students of Class-II, III, VI and VIII in 666 Primary Schools and Upper Primary Schools in 2014-15
Audit also found irregularities in procurement and disbursement of text books and uniforms
Odisha among eight States where CAG unearthed blocking of funds meant for infrastructure development by various agencies
Money lying idle as the schools lacked preparedness and there was absence of need-based planning
Lack of community participation and improper monitoring by District Project Coordinators were also noted by the Comptroller and Auditor General