E-Paper
Maha govt okays adoption of state-run schools
The Maharashtra government has implemented a scheme allowing individuals, corporations, and NGOs to adopt government schools to improve educational quality and infrastructure. Donors will provide goods and services for a defined period, but cash contributions are not permitted. The school's name can be changed temporarily but will be restored after the contract period ends.
The Maharashtra government has implemented a proposal that allows individuals, corporations, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to adopt government schools. The initiative intends to improve the infrastructure and amenities at these schools to improve educational quality. The State School Education Department on Monday issued a government resolution (GR) outlining details of the scheme.
In the GR issued by the School Education Department on Monday, it has been stated that “The ‘Adopted School Scheme’ will be applicable only for schools of all mediums under government and local bodies in the state. To develop a system for repair, maintenance, and painting of school buildings, to help raise the quality and standard of the education system in Maharashtra, to spread education far and wide by increasing student enrollment, and to match the necessary resources for spreading quality education far and wide. And along with quality education, health, hygiene, use of modern technology, sports skills, etc. will be the objectives of the school adoption scheme.”
“Committees will be formed at various levels to implement the scheme. A state-level coordination committee will be functioning under the chairmanship of the education commissioner. Committees will be chaired by the Municipal Commissioner for Municipal Schools, the Collector for Municipal Schools, and the Chief Executive Officer of the respective Zilla Parishad for Zilla Parishad schools. Proposals for school adoption will be approved by these committees. A separate website will also be created for the scheme,” said Deepak Kesarkar, state school education minister.
The nature of this scheme is that philanthropic individuals in society or public and private sector undertakings, non-governmental voluntary organisations or corporate offices, etc. shall adopt for 5 years or 10 years any one or more schools under Government / Local Self-Government bodies in the State. Donors must take guardianship of the adopted school and supply goods and services as needed for a defined length of time. Donors are not permitted to make cash contributions under this system. The school will be named after the contributors if they so desire. However, the school’s original name will not be modified. After the contract period expires, the name will be removed as well.
