15th Finance Commission funds to fix school toilets, water, classrooms

Funds from the 15th Central Finance Commission will now be used to provide clean toilets, safe drinking water, secure classrooms and a safe environment for students in schools across the state. Dr Chandrakant Pulkundwar, Secretary of the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, has directed zilla parishads, panchayat samitis and gram panchayats to take up this work on a priority basis according to the needs of schools.

In many rural schools, toilets are in poor condition, there are drinking water shortages, water tanks are not clean, classroom repairs are pending and safety facilities are inadequate. As a result, students often face inconvenience at school. Since clean and safe toilets for girls are considered the most important need, this has been given the highest priority.

Under the tied funds, separate urinals and toilets will first be built for boys and girls. Separate toilet facilities will also be arranged for students with special needs. In addition, the funds will be used to provide drinking water in schools, repair damaged toilets, supply the materials needed for this and clean water tanks. Public water supply schemes, hand pumps, wells or rainwater harvesting systems can be used to arrange drinking water, whichever facility is available at the school. This is expected to reduce the inconvenience students face in accessing water during school hours.

If a gram panchayat has any 15th Finance Commission funds remaining, it has been directed to use them for this work first, making the necessary changes to the rural development plan as needed. If a gram panchayat's funds are insufficient, the zilla parishad and panchayat samiti have been directed by the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department to complete this work using their own remaining funds. The intent is that whatever level funds fall short at, the higher authorities should make up the shortfall and complete the work.

Untied funds will be used primarily to repair school buildings and classrooms. These funds can also be used to repair electrical equipment, install CCTV cameras, provide fire safety equipment and build boundary walls around schools. The aim behind this decision is to improve the safety of school buildings and their surroundings.