Panaji, Apr 23 (TOI): To encourage primary education in the mother tongue, the directorate of education is giving special grants for primary schools imparting education in Konkani and Marathi medium. Recognized aided Konkani and Marathi-medium primary schools will receive 400 per student per month for 11 months excluding May.

Grant in aid primary recognized schools and schools which availed of the one-time initial special grant of 12 lakh and 1 lakh per annum for the next five years will also be entitled to the grant under the scheme.

Eligible aided primary schools in Konkani and Marathi-medium can apply for the grants by submitting details of students enrolled from Classes I to IV including the number present and absent, at the end of every quarter.

A list of admissible items which the schools are allowed to incur expenditure on include construction/renovation of the building, toilet, playground and compound wall of the school, furniture, computers, teaching aids, library books, audio-visual aids, stationery, consumables, water purifier up to 15,000, daily consumables like soaps, detergents, first aid, toilet cleaners, electrical consumables, water and electricity bills, rent, CCTV camera, salary of clerks, peons, servants and security guards among others.

Schools will have to produce a certificate of enrolment with the number of students enrolled from Classes I to IV, thrice a year, after which payments will be released for the first three months, five months and last three months, respectively.

he disbursement of funds will be subject to availability of funds and the institution must follow all financial rules laid down by the government. The government may relax the criteria if it desires.
The grants will provide an opportunity to aided managements of schools in Konkani and Marathi to develop and improve infrastructure and build up resources in the school.