Tamil Nadu Government pools in NRI support for school infrastructure
Narayan Lakshman “Anybody can adopt a school and provide facilities under the project” MoU valid for five years; can be renewed after reviewing results
In a significant step that could boost the government resources for
upgrading school facilities, M. Kutralingam, Principal Secretary to the School
Education Department, Tamil Nadu, on Saturday signed a Memorandum of
Understanding between the State government and the Tamil Nadu Foundation, a
Tamil association in the
In an interview prior to the signing of the MoU, Mr. Kutralingam said
the government of Tamil Nadu and the TNF had formulated a public-private
partnership framework under which “anybody can adopt a school for these
purposes — that is to provide furniture, computers, lab facilities, library
facilities, compound wall, and classroom facilities.” As per the MoU the areas
to which investments will be channelled include: provision of uniforms,
notebooks and stationery; provision of computers and furniture, including the
costs of a computer skills teacher; provision of educational aid and play
materials; support for English language classes; construction and renovation of
school toilets; provision of water supply; and counseling for students to
ensure continuation of schooling and bringing back drop-outs.
The MoU would be valid for a period of five years. After reviewing the
results of the partnership and mutual consent, the MoU could be renewed for a
further period of two years at a time.
Mr. Kutralingam noted that the local Chief Education Officer (CEO) would
be the person in charge of this process and “any company or any individual who
wants to enter into a MoU can deal with the CEO.”
The MoU would, however, be applicable to the entire State, paving the
way for further investments.
