Southern States - Tamil Nadu   

TN committed to universalisation of primary education: Minister

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI Nov. 14. The Education Minister, M. Thambi Durai, today said the State was determined to achieve the goal of universalisation of primary education and would fully play its role under the `Education-for-All' scheme.

Addressing a function organised by the School Education department to mark Children's Day here, Mr. Thambi Durai faulted the Centre for releasing the first component of the funds only for a short period.

"When Sarva Siksha Abhiyan scheme was announced, the Centre said it would contribute 85 per cent of the funds during the 9th plan period, 75 per cent in the 10th plan and 50 per cent of the project cost in the 11th plan. But when the first instalment came, the 9th Plan nearly ended, and we could effectively utilise only Rs. 10 crores or Rs. 15 crores. Now, the State's share has gone up from 15 per cent to 25. Though, the Central funding might come down, we will continue with the programme and achieve the Chief Minister's avowed objective of ensuring education for all," he said.

He recalled Jawaharlal Nehru's contribution to improving the quality of human resource through education.

The Minister, along with the School Education Secretary, C.V. Sankar, watched a cultural programme by children from city schools. Later, he gave away shields to the Good Samaritan Primary School, the Erukkancherry (Perambur district); the Corporation Middle School, Maduvankarai (Adyar district) and the Corporation Middle School, Pudukkadaipannai (Royapuram).

The Special Secretary School Education, A. Paneerselvam, the School Education Director, S. Paramasivam, and the Director of Elementary Education, R.Kannan, highlighted Nehru's commitment to school education.

The Governor, P.S.Ramamohan Rao, the State Ministers led by O. Paneerselvam and C. Ponnaiyan, and the TNCC leaders, S. Balakrishnan and E.V.K.S. Elangovan, garlanded a Nehru's statue at the Kathipara junction in the city.

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