The committee, directed to submit its report within 120 days, will study the system of grants and financial support to government aided schools for primary education and make recommendation so as to improve the overall efficiency of the system. The committee will also visit Maharashtra, Karnataka to study the socio-cultural dynamics of the matter.
As per the notification issued by the Education Director Gajanan Bhat, the State Council for Education, Research and Training is of the view that there is need for wider consultation and revisiting the issue to reach an appropriate decision.
The committee will be required to hold consultations with civic society organizations including PTAs, school management committees, primary school teachers association, headmasters association, principal’s forum, aided school management association, educationists, to ascertain their views on the subject.
The committee may also refer to various expert reports including that of the Ministry of Human Resource and Development and international organizations.
The government is currently facing wide criticism across the State with one group – BBSM – demanding withdrawal of grants to English schools, and the other – FORCE – demanding that the cabinet decision giving grants to schools be converted into law. However, both groups have opposed the formation of the advisory committee calling it an ‘election gimmick’.
