Teachers Ask to Finish Stalled School Buildings in Andhra Pradesh

Many school buildings in Andhra Pradesh are not finished. A group of teachers is asking the government to complete these buildings. This is important for students to have a good place to learn.
By Newsroom | Education, Andhra Pradesh |

The welfare of students and the effective delivery of education are in question as a significant number of school buildings under the "Mana Badi Nadu-Nedu" program remain incomplete across Andhra Pradesh. A teachers' association has formally requested the government to expedite the finishing of these stalled projects, highlighting potential disruptions to the learning environment and the misuse of allocated funds.

The "Mana Badi Nadu-Nedu" program, launched in 2019-20, aims to upgrade and transform existing government school infrastructure in a phased manner over three years. This initiative seeks to bolster learning conditions and reduce student dropout rates by improving facilities such as classrooms, toilets, and other essential amenities. The program has been rolled out in phases, with significant investments allocated for its execution. However, reports indicate that construction and renovation works in numerous schools have been halted, prompting concern from educators and stakeholders about the project's stalled progress.

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Program Objectives and Implementation

The "Mana Badi Nadu-Nedu" program is a government initiative designed to revamp the infrastructure of government schools in Andhra Pradesh. Its core objectives include:

  • Infrastructure Upgradation: To enhance the physical environment of schools, making them more conducive to learning. This encompasses improvements to buildings, sanitation facilities, and other essential components.

  • Phased Implementation: The program is structured into phases, with initial phases focusing on a large number of schools. Phase I aimed to modernize over 15,000 schools, and Phase II targeted an additional 22,344 institutions with a substantial budget outlay.

  • Community Involvement: The program guidelines suggest implementation through community contracting and Parent's Committees, aiming to foster local participation.

The program is supported by an Android application designed to facilitate the uploading of work progress related to the Nadu-Nedu program.

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Concerns Regarding Stalled Construction

Despite the program's ambitious goals and substantial funding, there are reports of unfinished construction work in several schools.

  • Dilapidated Structures: Some existing school buildings were found to be in a dilapidated condition, necessitating their dismantling and reconstruction, as per G.O. No. 61.

  • Surplus and Deficit Funds: Instances have been noted where some schools have surplus funds after completing civil works, while others require additional funding. Mechanisms for fund transfer between schools within a district have been proposed to address this disparity.

  • Quality and Monitoring Issues: Concerns have been raised regarding the quality of work and the lack of adequate supervision. The Jana Sena Party has called for a probe into the works undertaken, citing observations of damaged structures and a lack of supervising staff.

The ongoing delays raise questions about accountability and the efficient utilization of public funds allocated for school infrastructure development.

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Dedicated Efforts Amidst Programmatic Lapses

While the large-scale program faces challenges, individual efforts highlight the potential impact of improved school infrastructure.

  • Teacher-Led Renovation: In the ASR district, a tribal teacher, Palasa Naveen Kumar, single-handedly renovated and revived a dilapidated primary school using available funds. His initiative included both infrastructural development and academic upliftment, culminating in the school's reopening and increased student enrollment.

  • Broader Impact: The "Mana Badi Nadu-Nedu" program, as a whole, has reportedly transformed over 15,000 government schools in its first phase, leading to an increase in student enrollment. Phase II aims to further enhance infrastructure in an additional 25,000 schools.

Official Guidelines and Program Scope

Government Orders (G.O.s) have been issued to outline the guidelines for the "Mana Badi Nadu-Nedu" program, including specific directives for construction and implementation.

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  • G.O. No. 61 (September 14, 2021): Provides guidelines for the dismantling of school buildings in dilapidated conditions.

  • Phase II Guidelines (July 26, 2022): Focus on foundation school construction and upgrading Anganwadi buildings, including implementation through Foundation School Development Committees and Community Contracting.

  • Revised Administrative Approval (June 2022): Accorded administrative approval for Phase II, covering the improvement of infrastructure facilities in 22,344 schools with a budget of Rs. 8,000 Crores.

The program's scope extends to improving facilities in Anganwadi buildings as part of its second phase, indicating a broad approach to educational infrastructure.

Stakeholder Concerns and Calls for Action

The teachers' association's call for the completion of stalled projects underscores broader concerns within the education sector.

  • Teacher Welfare: Independent reports have highlighted challenges faced by government teachers, including delayed salary payments, which can affect morale and focus on educational duties.

  • Government Commitment: Questions are sometimes raised about the government's commitment to individuals involved in the education system, particularly when infrastructure projects and financial matters are not handled efficiently.

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The prompt completion of these stalled school building projects is essential to ensure that the intended benefits of the "Mana Badi Nadu-Nedu" program reach the students and educators across Andhra Pradesh.

Sources:

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the 'Mana Badi Nadu-Nedu' program?
It is a program to make government school buildings better in Andhra Pradesh. It started in 2019-20.
Q: Why are teachers asking for the buildings to be finished?
Because many schools are not done yet. This can stop students from learning well.
Q: What problems are there with the building work?
Some buildings are old and need to be rebuilt. Some schools have too much money and others need more money. There are also worries about the quality of the work.
Q: Is there any good news about school buildings?
Yes, one teacher fixed a whole school by himself. Also, many schools were improved in the first part of the program.