Showing its commitment towards transforming education in Delhi the Kejriwal Government has allocated Rs. 1,700 crores under the grant-in-aid scheme for MCD schools this year. On Thursday, Education Minister Ms Atishi along with MCD Mayor Dr Shelly Oberoi shared that the Kejriwal government will now make MCD schools world-class as well. To ensure the same, in the first quarter, Rs. 400 crores has been released for the development of MCD schools.
The Education Minister said that it is the promise of the Kejriwal government to provide quality education to the children of Delhi, and under the guidance of Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal, 9 lakh children studying in MCD schools will also receive an excellent education. MCD schools will also be transformed on the lines of Delhi government schools. Present during the press conference, Mayor Dr Shelly Oberoi also stated that the funds allocated by the Kejriwal government for MCD schools will greatly help in bringing improvement in municipal schools.
While making the announcement of the fund release during a press conference, Education Minister Atishi said, “Ever since the Kejriwal government came into power, education has always been its priority. Every year, it is ensured that a major part of the budget is allocated to the education sector. But the education system of Delhi has been facing a crisis because government schools that provide education from Class 1-5 come under MCD. Due to the lack of facilities and a conducive learning environment there, when students from MCD schools are admitted to Delhi government schools they often fall behind. They lack basic foundational skills.”
She added that after Delhi government schools, now it is the commitment of the Kejriwal government to make MCD schools world-class on the same lines. There are 9 lakh students studying in them and the Kejriwal government will ensure that every child gets an equal opportunity and access to a quality education because MCD schools are responsible for strengthening foundational skills in children.
Ms Atishi said, “By increasing the budget for education this year, the Kejriwal government has allocated Rs 1700 crores as grant-in-aid for the development of MCD schools. This amount will support MCD in ensuring better infrastructure and facilities at MCD schools and timely disbursement of salaries to the staff. Of Rs 1700 crores, the first quarter fund of Rs 400 crores has been released to MCD today. This is the first step towards making MCD schools world-class as Delhi government schools.
MCD Mayor, Dr. Shelly Oberoi thanked Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal and Education Minister Ms Atishi for providing funds to the MCD schools in Delhi and said, “Education has always been a priority for the Aam Aadmi Party, and it is believed that education is the medium that can lead the nation-building and the entire society forward, as stated by the Dr. B.R Ambedkar.”
She said that there are around 1,500 schools within MCD’s jurisdiction, with nearly 9 lakh children and approximately 19,000 teachers. She stated that when they visited the MCD schools, they found that most of the schools were in very poor condition and required major and minor repairs. There are some MCD schools that require the construction of new classrooms, while others could not complete their construction work due to a lack of funds. In such a situation these funds released by the Delhi government will be extremely helpful.
Dr. Shelly Oberoi said, “MCD schools are struggling with various challenges such as a lack of infrastructure, CCTV cameras, desks for children, toilets for female students, drinking water facilities, and a severe shortage of manpower in MCD schools throughout Delhi.” She said taking cognizance of the situation of MCD schools, Delhi has provided funds that will be used to improve all the municipal corporation schools across Delhi. A world-class education model will also be established in MCD schools as Delhi government schools.
