Govt releases 5 cr for science equipments for schools

Hyderabad, Sep 2 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh School Education Minister C Damodar Rajanarasimha today informed the legislative council that the state government had released Rs five crore to purchase science equipment and library books in high schools during 2007-08.

Replying to a question, raised by P Sudhakar Reddy from Teachers' constituency, he said Rs 21 lakh was released to all the districts in the state.

He said the government allocated a budget of Rs 10 crore to purchase equipment during 2007-08 and allocated Rs 15 crore for the current year.

The government decided to constitute language labs in all the high schools to learn English through audio and video mediums as the government had introduced English medium in 6,500 high-schools in the state from this academic year.

When the member demanded the government to constitute a committee to purchase equipment, the minister said necessary equipment was being purchased on the recommendations of district committees constituted by the government.

The member also demanded the government to take action against the officials, who have not purchased the equipment after drawing the money from the treasury.

P V Ranga Rao(Cong) suggested the government to supply books and stationery to all the schools instead of being dependent on district committees.

Replying to a query from Ch Ramaiah from the Teachers' constituency, the minister said there was no proposal to constitute a mobile-lab in the state.

UNI BR DB 1623