WB-financed edn project comes under govt scrutiny

FE Team | Published: October 07, 2007 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

FE Report
The government has launched a probe into the suspected irregularities, financial and otherwise, in a World Bank-funded project meant to impart "quality" education to the drop-outs and out of school children, an informed source said.
The primary and mass education ministry has already formed an inquiry panel and its members have been asked to carry out spot investigation into the allegation with regard to the "Reaching out of School Children (ROSCH) project.
The project, for which the multilateral donor lent US$62.8 million, was undertaken to reduce the number of out-of-school children through improved access, quality and efficiency in primary education, especially for the disadvantaged children. Street children and children from the marginal community are also supposed to enjoy the benefits of ROSCH.
"The committee has already started its preliminary work and is currently gathering information about the so-called Anand schools. They will make surprise visits to the educational institutions and talk to all stakeholders," a senior ministry official told the FE Saturday.
So far, according to figures available with the ministry, around 12000 Anand Schools have been set up under the project to provide primary education along with offering stipends and grants to the underprivileged children to attract them back to schools.
But non non-government organisations, who run such schools, in connivance with project officers and field level education officials are allegedly misappropriating money set aside as student stipends.
Even, relevant sources alleged, many schools were being run with "hired" teachers instead of originally-appointed ones, although the project officers remained indifferent to the unholy practice.
"We'll take stern action against project officers, education officials and NGOs involved in the irregularities. If proved, the delinquent NGOs will face suspension of funds and may be blacklisted," the official stressed.
The official, however, defended that most of the schools were running with "considerable" reputation, but "somewhere there may be mismanagement."
"We received allegations and we're acting on that," he said.
The project is also part of the government's nationwide campaign for "Education for All" goals.
The project has four basic components: 1) improving access to quality education for out-of-school children 2) raising awareness about learning centres 3) strengthening capacity to deliver quality primary education and 4) monitoring education allowances and grant support.
Started in June 2004, the ROSCH project is scheduled for completion by 2010.
In addition to the World Bank, the government and Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation (SDC), the Switzerland government's official development agency, co-financed the project.