Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: A state-level federation of school principals has demanded that at least 10% of District Planning and Development Council (DPDC) funds be reserved for govt-run schools.
The association has also pressed for centralisation of the mid-day meal programme and requested that the government directly pay school electricity bills. “Mandating a minimum 10% reservation of DPDC funds in every district will ensure a steady financial flow for the upkeep and infrastructure development of state-run schools. This measure will directly benefit students,” said Kailas Gaikwad, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district president of the Maharashtra State Upgraded Headmasters’ Federation.
Addressing the centralisation of the mid-may meal scheme, Gaikwad noted that a centralised kitchen system would guarantee better quality food for students. “Preparing meals at the school level is a daily, arduous task. Food prepared in a centralised kitchen can be efficiently distributed across multiple schools,” he said.
Gaikwad also argued that the govt should take responsibility for clearing the electricity bills of state-run schools. “Instead of asking local self-governing bodies to pay or relying on crowdfunding and local aid, the government should clear these bills directly. This will prevent power cuts due to non-payment,” he added.
Additionally, the federation reiterated its demand to relieve school staff from all non-academic duties. “Teachers and staff need to focus entirely on classroom teaching and school-related responsibilities. Currently, they are invariably roped into various non-academic tasks, which severely disrupts education,” Gaikwad said.
Other key demands raised by the federation include reducing the teacher-student ratio from 1:30 to 1:20, appointing subject-specific teachers for science, mathematics, languages, and social sciences in upper primary schools, and introducing at least one hour of mandatory computer education in all schools. Maharashtra school education minister Dadaji Bhuse could not be reached for comment.
