MLAs express concern over delay in classroom construction

Bhubaneswar: Members of Odisha Assembly including ruling party legislators today raised concerns over delay in construction of classrooms under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) in several parts of the State.

During the question hour, Congress legislator Anshuman Mohanty claimed more than 50% schools do not have adequate classroom buildings.

“The construction work in nearly 50% schools has not started. At a time when the government is giving priority to education, such kind of delay is unfortunate,” Mohanty stated.

Echoing similar views, BJD MLA Padmanabha Behera said, “In most cases, the funds are lying unutilised with headmaster of schools. But, headmasters don’t bother to ask president of schools to utilise the fund for the overall development and coming up with necessary infrastructure.”

Admitting the delay, School and Mass Education Minister Badrinarayan Patra said that the work for the construction of classrooms has not been taken up due to dispute between headmasters and school managing committees.

Besides, the Central government has also reduced the release of funds under the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan.

“There are several reasons for the delay including lack of space on the school premises and problems in managing committees,” said Patra.