Indian Express 16.11.2010
Winter cheer: MCD to give students money for woollens
With the mercury dropping, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi is thinking up ways to keep the students in its schools warm during winters.
The MCD Education department has come up with a plan to distribute Rs 1 crore in cash among 5.5 lakh children studying from Class I to Class III in its primary schools to buy woollen caps and gloves. This will be in addition to the Rs 500 given to all students to purchase winter uniforms.
Mahendra Nagpal, chairperson of Education Committee of MCD, said the students have already been given money to buy sweaters. “We have given money to 10 lakh students. Since our students come from economically backward sections of the society, such financial assistance is necessary,” he said.
This is the first time that a fund for buying caps and gloves have been generated.
The civic agency is at present running 1,746 primary schools with enrollment of nearly 9.5 lakh children. In addition, it also runs attached nursery classes in 923 primary schools along with 33 independent nursery schools with enrollment of 50,000 children. The Corporation also has 44 aided primary schools and 728 recognised primary schools managed by voluntary organisations.
With a number of MCD school buildings in a dilapidated state, Nagpal said the civic agency will soon provide permanent structures for all schools. Recently, the MCD also declared that they will implement Right to Education Act in its area provided that the Delhi government provides them with the required funds.
