Twelve states missed Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan funds

The Indian government announced that 12 states did not receive funds for establishing computer rooms in schools under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA). This program supports public education with a funding split of 60% from the central government and 40% from the states. According to a recent report, almost 50% of government schools in India lack computer facilities. The data was shared in Lok Sabha by Minister of State for Education Jayant Choudhary. He also mentioned that 18 states and Union Territories did not receive funding for installing ramps and handrails, despite 14.9% of schools lacking these facilities. The 12 states that missed out on funds for computer rooms are Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Mizoram, Odisha, Punjab, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. For 2024-25, the government allocated ₹15,888.13 lakh for these computer rooms. Additionally, 17 states did not receive money for ramps and handrails, and four states missed financing for boys’ and girls’ toilets. Despite this, the report notes that 90% of government schools have functional boys’ toilets, and 93.2% have functional girls' toilets. Furthermore, 11 states will not receive funding for facilities for Children with Special Needs. The report shows that only 30.6% of schools have toilets that are friendly for these children. Choudhary also addressed concerns about the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) labs. Most states were allocated substantial funds, but only a few utilized these amounts effectively. Only Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Manipur accessed the money meant for ICT labs.