ADMINISTRATION OF PHYSICAL RESOURCES
Enrolment Planning Under article 45 of the constitution of India, the state government is required to provide elemen- tary education to all children in its jurisdiction upto the age of 14. With this end in view, primary schools were opened in large numbers with hopes about availability of funds which would be needed to maintain the schools. The intention was that no child should have to walk for more than one and a half kilometre to reach a primary school. In order to encourage girls' education, tuition fee for them has been abolished upto the high school stage. In this manner, enrolment planning in the state is generally confined to boys and girls upto the age of 14.
It has been observed that there is a distinct enrolment policy at the basic stage of education but not exactly so at the secondary and tertiary stages. Enrolment planning for the basic stage of education in both rural and urban areas is reckon- ed on the basis of achievements of the past and current plans in the 6-11 and 11-14 age groups as well as annual increase in the uncovered population of children of the school going age. The estimated enrolment figures for boys and girls separately during the period 1973-74 and 1980-81 may be seen in table I. It may also be mentioned that according to the enrolment policy of the state, new institutions are opened in unserved areas and; the existing institutions are, so far as possible upgraded in case of local need. Existing facilities are utilized to the maximum possible extent before any programme of extension is taken up. Further, in order to increase the enrolement, incentives in the form of mid-day meals, attendance scholarships, free hostel facilities, free books and uniforms along with appointment of more women teachers and provision of residential accommodation for them are given.
Establishment of New Schools and Interme-
diate Colleges For setting up new schools of different levels, a number of measures are required to be taken. The locality where the institution is needed actual- ly on the basis of the educational survey is identi- fied. Exactly when this institution is to be established depends on the priority laid down by the state government in education department for opening institutions of different levels. Selection of the exact site depends upon the availability of land in the area chosen for opening the institu- tion. Unless the local community offers the land, it is acquired under the Land Acquisition Act of the state. The buildings are designed by the central building division of the state public works department. Primary school buildings in the state have been designed and constructed by the Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee and other organisations. For the purchase and supply of furniture and science and other equipment, action is taken on the basis of tenders according to the rules laid down by the state industries department. The library books for the institutions are purchased according to their subject require- ment. Selection and appointment of the staff is made for different levels of institutions according to the provisions laid down in the respective codes and acts governing these institutions. It has been obser- ved that there is no rigidity in the procedure for establishing new institutions. The aforesaid require- ments and procedural details are amended from time to time as and when deemed necessary.
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The need for establishment of a government school or intermediate college is identified general- ly on public demand or on recommendations of the field officers based on genuine need or in backward and unserved areas. On the assessment of public demand etc. by the district inspectors of schools, the directorate of education screens pro- posals and on the basis of plan schemes approval of state government in the education department is obtained to establish the institutions. The site is selected by the site selection committee consis- ting of the district magistrate or his nominee, district medical health officer, executive engineer and district inspector of schools. The district magistrate acquires land, and according to the requirements of the education department the state public works department designs and constructs the building. The state government sanctions non-recurring grants for furniture and equipment including science apparatus, books etc. As regards the staff, ad hoc appointments are often made so that studies may riot suffer and the posts are filled by direct recruitment or promotion through state public service commission. Posts below L.T. grade are filled through selection by the departmental selection committee.
In case of schools under the charge of local government agencies, the process of identification of the need to establish an institution is the same as in case of government institutions. In case of primary schools, the distance of the habitation from an existing school should be 1.5 km. or more and the population of the locality should be at least 300. Preference is given to habitations with a predominatly scheduled caste or scheduled tribe population. In case of a junior high school, the distance prescribed is 5 kms. and population as in case of a primary school. The site is recom- mended by he district planning advisory commit - tee under the chairmanship of the district magis- trate and approved by the state basic shiksha parishad. Land for the institution is donated or provided by the gram sabha in rural areas. In urban areas land is purchased on the prevailing market price. The design of a two-room building is prepared by the Central Building Research Institute, as referred to earlier in the chapter. Funds for land and construction of building are provided by state government. For purchase of furniture and equipment etc. non-recurring grant is sanctioned by government to zila basic shiksha adhikari of the district who utilises the grant with the assistance of the deputy inspector of schools. The selection of staff is done by the district selection committee as provided in the U.P. Basic Shiksha Adhiniyam, 1972.
As regards schools or intermediate colleges under private management, the procedure for identification of the need for setting up an institu- tion is the same as in case of the government or local body institution. The private management, after constructing the school building and equip- ping it fully, applies for recognition to the U.P. Board of High School and Intermediate Education. The district inspector of schools of the district submits his recommendations after satisfying him- self that the institution is really needed in the locality and considers the number and feeder insti- tutions within a limited area. If the conditions of recognition are fulfilled, the recognition committee of the board submits its recommendation to the chairman of the board. In the case of aided institutions, governments' approval is sought while in other cases only approval of the chairman is sufficient. The site is selected by private manage- ments itself keeping in view the availability of land donated by the gram sabha or private individuals. The management not only puts up the building but also equips the institution through its own resources or through donations raised from individuals or other sources. The qualifications for the appointment of principal, headmaster and teachers of different subjects and levels are prescri- bed through regulations framed by the board and approved by the state government.
In every recognised school or intermediate college, the managing committee of the institution forms a selection committee for recruiting staff. The posts are advertised and the selection committee after interviewing the candidates, submits its reco- mmendations for approval in the case of head of institution to the regional deputy director of education in the case of men and to the deputy director of education (women) in the case of wo- men. In the case of teachers the recommendations are submitted for approval to the district inspec- tor of schools (regional inspectress of girls schools in case of female candidates). The manager of the institution makes the appointment on receipt of approval of the appropriate authority.
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As regards junior high schools under private management, the district education committee consisting of the district inspector of schools as chairman, zila basic shiksha adhikari as secretary and additional zila basic shiksha adhikari (women) or deputy inspector girls schools (where the former post does not exist) as member considers the question of recognition. On the recommendation of this committee, the zila basic shiksha adhikari issues the order of recognition. The chairman of the basic shiksha parishad has the final power of with- drawal of recognition. Other conditions regarding land, building, equipment and staff are the same as in case of high schools run by private manage- ments.
Expansion of educational facilities in the schools or intermediate colleges depends on the need of introducing additional subjects prescribed in the curriculum and the enhancement of enrolment of students in various classes. The need is met by opening new schools or sections and by upgrad- ing the existing status of the schools or by intro- ducing the double shift system with the approval of government. It has been expressed that there is need to put some check on the unplanned growth of institutions where they are not needed, even if they fulfil all the necessary conditions.
Establishment of New Degree Colleges In so far as the setting up of new government degree colleges is concerned, no specified procedure has been laid down in the state. Whenever a demand for establishing such a college is received from a particular place, the concerned regional deputy director of education or district inspector of' schools is contacted to give his comments, report and recommendation on the following points :-
(i) Number of degree and intermediate colleges available in the vicinity of the place
(ii) Availability of students for the proposed college
(iii) Availability of building for the college
(iv) Means of approach to the locality.
For setting up a new college under a private management also the same points are taken into consideration. But the strength of the proposal is also measured by the resourcefulness of the con- cerned managing committee.
If and when it is decided to establish a govern- ment degree college at a place, the district magis- trate concerned is asked to acquire land according to requirements of the state education department and the state P.W.D. then designs and constructs the building. As regards furniture, science equipment, library stock, etc. the state government sanctions the funds in accordance with the norms in this regard prescribed by the university to which the particular college is to be affiliated. The required articles are to be purchased from approved firms in so far as government institutions are concerned. But in the case of private degree college, the management is free to purchase this material from whenever it wishes to do so, provi- ded the prescribed norms are kept in view.
Construction of School Buildings Norms have been laid down by the department of education regarding the provision of accommo- dation for government and other schools of various levels. As regards government high schools and intermediate colleges, such norms are : (i) accom- modation for class rooms at the rate of 12 sq. ft. per student exclusive of space for the teacher, (ii) accommodation for laboratories at the rate of 20 sq. ft. per student exclusive of demonstration table, and (iii) one principal's room, one staff room, one or more laboratory room(s), and one office room (office space provided according to the number of staff i.e. 40 sq.ft. per class). A pattern of two-room buildings for primary schools has been prepared by the Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee. For junior high schools, a plan of five-room buildings has been prepared by the same organisation. In so far as privately managed institutions are concerned, the norms for buildings have been prescribed by the U.P. Board of High School and Intermediate Education in 1971. These norms are being adopted for the construction of building of junior high schools, high schools intermediate colleges and model and normal schools administered by the state government. The buildings are constructed by the state public works department according to the prescribed norms.
In so far as the local government institutions are concerned, primary school buildings sanctioned
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under various plan schemes were constructed by the local bodies through the block development officers and their plans for buildings were appro- ved by their own department. During 1972 the work of the construction of non-plan buildings was taken up according to a phased programme as a very large number of buildings were to be cons- tructed throughout the state. The Central Buil- ding Research Institute, Roorkee was entrusted with the construction work during 1972 which they continued to do till 1974. But they could construct only 1800 buildings out of 5376. In order to accelerate the construction, the government entrus- ted the work to state P.W.D. and Rural Engineer- ing Department also in a number of districts. As regards the construction of buildings for the junior high schools sanctioned under a plan scheme, the responsibility for construction work still rests with the local bodies.
As regards the procedure, the education depart- ment supplies requirements to the state P.W.D. for a preliminary estimate. On its receipt, administra- tive approval and financial sanction of the project are accorded by the state director of education. The state public works department after inviting tenders starts the work of construction through contractors.
No norms whatever have been laid down for buildings of government degree colleges in the state. But the matter is now under consideration of the state government. The non-government institutions of higher education follow the norms prescribed by the universities to which they are affiliated.
Provision of Amenities In the matter of providing amenities and ser- vices no norms have been laid down by the state government with respect to the degree and post- graduate colleges administered by it. However, the various government and other colleges are affiliated to or associated with different universities in the state, and they have to adopt the norms prescribed by the concerned universities.
As regards schools and intermediate colleges, there are prescribed norms for providing minimum essential amenities in the institutions. In govern- ment and privately managed institutions of educa- tion the amenities which normally exist are: (i) one common room for teachers, called staff room (ii) one small staff room of size 12'x12' with each intermediate college science laboratory, (iii) one water room of size 10'x10' for about 350 students, (iv) one urinal of 9'xl6' size for every 25 students and one latrine and wash-basin for every 100 students, and (v) playground.
In local body institutions the drinking water facilities are provided by local communities. Toilet facilities are available in girls schools only. There is no separate room for teachers and they manage within the accommodation in the school. The norms for lavatory etc. are usually not enforced rigidly and in some of the institutions conditions in this regard are not considered to be satisfac- tory.
Maintenance of Educational Institutions Maintenance of buildings of government colleges is the responsibility of the state govern- ment and funds for the purpose are provided for approved repairs in the budgets of the colleges. In the case of private degree and post-graduate colle- ges, the concerned managements are authorised, under the U.P. Universities Act, 1973, to keep with them 20% of the tuition fee income in the case of arts subjects and 25% in the case of the science subjects for carrying out maintenance and repairs and meeting other contingent expenditure of the institutions. Earlier, such colleges used to get maintenance grant from the education department as a part of the grant-in-aid. The same practice is followed still in respect of colleges in the state affiliated to the Banaras Hindu University and those maintained by the local government agencies where the aforesaid act does not apply.
As regards schools and intermediate colleges, the educational buildings constructed upto March 1974 are being maintained by the education depart- ment of the state. it is laid down that the yearly amount spent on the annual, quadrennial or special repairs taken as a whole should not exceed 2.1% (1-5% for annual repairs and 0.6% for quadrennial and special repairs) of the capital cost in respect of residential buildings. These rates have, how- ever, been adopted in respect of non-residential buildings also. It has been expressed that inspite of an ad hoc enhancement in the old rates due to continuous increase in cost of the building material and labour charges, it is becoming increasingly
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difficult to maintain educational buildings within the provision made. The usual system of work is to give lump-sum contract based on competitive tenders. But repairs may also be executed by departmental agencies.
In the case of schools managed by local govern- ment agencies the maintenance of buildings, fur- niture, equipment are the responsibility of the zila parishads. After the formation of the basic shiksha parishad, the maintenance of buildings and equipment continued to be the responsibility of the local bodies concerned although there was some misunderstanding on this score in the beginn- ing. In so far the privately managed educational institutions are concerned, prior to U.P. High School and Intermediate Colleges (Payments of Salaries of Teachers and Other Employees) Act, 1971, the managements received grants from the state government for payment of salaries, repairs etc. But with enforcement of the act, the salaries are disbursed by the state government, and the management retains with it 20% of the tuition fee for carrying out maintenance and repairs of institu- tional buildings and meeting other contingent expenditure of the institution. Of late, the science fee has also been left with the managements to be utilised on the up-keep of science laboratories.