IN recent weeks, social media has been flooded with pictures of freshly painted government schoolbuildings across Sindh, proudly shared as evidence of ‘development work’ carried out under the School Specific Budget (SSB) plan. However, the budget documents never mention that the disbursed funds are intended solely for painting school buildings.
The provincial School Education and Literacy Department releases the SSB to all functional primary, middle, elementary, secondary and higher secondary schools.
For the current financial year, the allocation stands at Rs22.47 billion.
The budgetisintended tobe utilised under specific heads, including stationery, co-curricular activities, instructional and classroom materials, library and laboratory equipment, furniture, etc. The relevant minister has himself clarified that the SSB was never intended solely, or even primarily, for cosmetic work, such as whitewash.
Apparently, school heads, who now enjoy greater financial autonomy under the SSB initiative, are opting for the most photogenicuse ofthefundsratherthan the most necessary ones. All this while, broken classroom furniture remains unrepaired. Damaged boundary walls,doors and windows continue to deteriorate.
Basic laboratory equipment is missing in many schools. Not a single computer lab has been highlighted on social media as having been established through this budget.
The government should conduct an audit of how the SSB has actually been utilised across schools thisyear,and shouldissue clear guidelines to headmasters and headmistresses regarding spending priorities.
Imran Johi