Pune: Representatives of schools selected under Maharashtra’s Bharat Ratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Model Schools programme have urged state govt to immediately mobilise the Rs159 crore sanctioned for upgrading 412 Zilla Parishad (ZP) schools. According to them, timely release of these funds would help improve facilities and provide students with a better learning environment, highlighting that the disbursal has already been delayed for five months now.In communications to govt, school representatives said the postponement in releasing these funds is holding up urgently needed infrastructure improvements and procurement of educational materials. Of the sanctioned amount, Rs117 crore is meant for construction and infrastructure upgrades, while Rs42 crore has been earmarked for educational materials.The govt resolution (GR) sanctioning the funds was issued on March 31 this year. The school education department received the funds around the same time, but it has not yet been disbursed ahead to ZP administrations, delaying the start of planned works.Sharad Gosavi, state director of primary education, said the funds have not lapsed and that a proposal for their distribution has been submitted to govt. He said, “Though the funds are currently undistributed, the necessary process for utilisation has been initiated. A proposal for distributing the funds to ZPs has been sent to govt and a decision is expected soon. Allocation and nature of works to be undertaken have already been finalised.”Teachers said that if the funds been released on time, the education department could have showcased infrastructure improvements in the selected ZP schools by now, particularly at a time when the condition of several of these schools has come under scrutiny. The delays in releasing the funds has directly affected students who urgently need better facilities, they said.A ZP school teacher from Pune district told TOI, “The purpose of the model school scheme is to provide students with better learning facilities and infrastructure. If funds remain stuck for months, schools lose valuable time. The department should ensure that the money reaches schools before the academic year progresses further.”Another such teacher said, “Many ZP schools still need basic infrastructure improvements as well as teaching and learning material. The sanctioned amount can make a real difference, but only if work begins on ground. Further delays will postpone benefits for all deserving students.”The funds were sanctioned for the financial year 2025-26. Although the amount has not been distributed, and therefore not spent, officials clarified to TOI that it has not lapsed and can still be utilised once the allocation process is completed.
