Children’s Day not so sweet in govt schools

HYDERABAD: Children’s Day not so sweet for children studying in government schools as the authorities have no money to buy a few biscuits or even toffees for the students.
Though almost every school gives children at least two toffees or two biscuits, the money for this is got by saving about 25 to 50 paise from every child’s school fee, every year.
“The state government has no such budget provision to give children any such luxuries. Neither on Children’s Day nor Independence or Republic Day,’’ a senior education department told The Times of India. Most times, it is teachers who pay for chocolates that are given to children.
“The children look forward to some kind of gift on Children’s Day, because it is supposed to be their day and if they do not get anything, they feel extremely disappointed. So, we try to make up for this,’’ one of the teachers at a government school at Mehdipatnam said.
In spite of various programmes like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and school projects funded by Unicef, the government is unable to put aside money for distribution of sweets, the official said.
“It is extremely difficult for teachers to put aside money from the school fees because the fees for classes-VI and VII is Rs 9 per year and the fees for classes-VIII to is about Rs 20,’’ the official explained.
This money has to be paid to the District Common Entrance Examination Board for the supply of question papers.
Schools are left with Rs 3 and Rs 10 per student per year. Money has to be managed to buy chalk pieces and dusters, pay cleaners and get repairs done, apart from other expenses.
“At the end of the day, the school or government is left with no money to buy toffees or biscuits for children. Most times it is generous donors, NGOs or social service organisations which sweeten the children’s day.