Thiruvananthapuram: Finance Minister T M Thomas Isaac in his budget speech in the assembly on Friday announced that one school each in every assembly constituency would be upgraded to global standards. He added that Rs 1000 crore would be set aside for the purpose. The government expected an expenditure of Rs 250 crore this financial year for this scheme. This scheme was modelled on the programme already introduced in Nadakavu School in Kozhikode district, he said.
Isaac made clear in the budget speech that the government would bear only the expenses of the building construction. The rest needed for the purpose would be mobilised through a special purpose vehicle with the help of private investors. The schools would be selected for the project on the basis of the availability of funds that could be mobilised through the PTA fund, alumni association, local self government institutions and the local development funds of the MLA and MP.
The budget has also set apart Rs 500 crore for government high schools and higher secondary schools for converting them into high-tech institutions. Apart from Government schools have been included in this scheme. All the students up to Class VIII would be given free uniforms.
Govt to help students pay back loans
The state government will provide assistance to students to pay back their education loans as part of the moratorium scheme with the support of banks announced in the budget. Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac said that the government was ready to provide assistance for the repayment of loans in all cases where the bank agrees to settle the defaulted loan on payment of the principal. A sum of Rs 100 cr has been set apart for this.
Dr Isaac said that the basic issue was that the students who complete education were not receiving employment. The banks should also ensure that an amount more than one fourth of the salary should not be imposed as repayment instalment for those working in non-formal sectors, he said.
Dr Isaac has also earmarked Rs 150 crore for converting Thiruvananthapuram University College, Ernakulam Maharaja’s College, Thrissur Kerala Varma College, Palakkad Victoria College and Thalassery Brennen College into centres of excellence. The government has also decided to sanction colleges in plantation areas of Kalpetta, Munnar and Kattappana with two degree courses each.
