Swachh Vidyalaya Programme

LOK SABHA 

Swachh Vidyalaya Programme

3928. SHRIMATI MANJULATA MANDAL
          SHRI OMPRAKASH BHUPALSINH
          ALIAS PAWAN RAJENIMBALKAR
          SHRI SELVAM G.
          SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR
          SHRI GAUTHAM SIGAMANI PON
          SHRI C.N. ANNADURAI
          SHRI DHANUSH M. KUMAR

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

(a) whether Swachh Vidyalaya Programme (SVP) has been able to achieve the objective for which it was launched and if so, details thereof;

(b) the challenges faced by the Government while implementing the said programme;

(c) whether the Government has reviewed the progress of the SVP and if so, the details of current status of construction of toilets in all schools;

(d) whether toilets are being constructed by States, PSUs, as well as some private sector entities and if so, details thereof;

(e) whether the Government has formulated any mechanism to monitor that the toilets made specially for girls under the said programme are functional through out and if so, the details thereof and if not, reasons therefor; and

(f) the special steps taken by Government to remove the obstacles and achieving the target within the scheduled time frame keeping in view implementation of said programme?

(SHRIMATI ANNPURNA DEVI)

(a) to (f) In response to the announcement made by the Hon’ble Prime Minister on 15 August, 2014, the Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education had launched Swachh Vidyalaya initiative (SVI) to provide separate toilets for girls and boys in all Government schools, within one year. Under the initiative, the gaps in availability of toilets was addressed and construction/re-construction of 4,17,796 toilets, including 1.91 lakh girls’ toilets,  was  completed  in  2,61,400  Government  elementary  and  secondary  schools,  as reported  by the  States  and  UTs.  State/UT-wise  details  of  school toilets  constructed/re- constructed under Swachh Bharat: Swachh Vidyalaya initiative (SVI) are at Annexure-I.

State/UT-wise details of total number of toilets constructed/ re-constructed by the Central Public Sector Undertakings and Private Corporates in Government elementary and secondary schools under Swachh Vidyalaya initiative are at Anneuxre-II.

The primary responsibility of maintenance of school toilets lies with the concerned State Government and UT Administration. The Ministry of Education has repeatedly requested the States/UTs to ensure maintenance and functionality of toilets constructed in schools, and to also take steps to bring about behavioural changes among students and teachers through an intensive awareness campaign to ensure that the toilets are properly used and kept neat and clean. Recently, the Department of School Education & Literacy has again requested the States/UTs, on 12th November 2020, for ensuring water supply in toilets, hand-washing area and drinking water facilities in all Government schools.

The Ministry had requested the CPSEs who participated in the SVI, to maintain the toilets constructed/reconstructed by them for at least five years. Further, this Ministry has requested their administrative Ministries/Departments on 3rd November, 2020 for maintenance of school toilets constructed/reconstructed by the CPSEs under the SVI, for at least next five years.

Education is in the concurrent list of the Constitution and most of the schools are under the jurisdiction of concerned States & UTs. State and UT Governments are the appropriate Governments under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, and have the responsibility and mandate to provide school infrastructure including drinking water and toilet facilities in schools in accordance with the norms laid down in the Schedule to the RTE Act, 2009 and as per respective State RTE Rules. States and UTs have been repeatedly advised to ensure that all the schools, including those under the non-Government sector (private, aided schools, etc.) in their jurisdiction should have provision for separate toilets for boys and girls; and safe and adequate drinking water facilities for all children.

The Department of School Education and Literacy has launched an Integrated Centrally Sponsored Scheme for School Education – Samagra Shiksha  w.e.f. 2018-19. Under Samagra Shiksha, States and UTs are supported for strengthening of existing Government schools, and for creation and augmentation of infrastructure facilities including drinking water and toilets as per proposals received from respective State/UT based on the identified gaps. The scheme also provides for an annual recurring composite school grant varying up to Rs. 1,00,000/- per annum depending upon the number of students, for all government schools, out of which at least 10% is to be spent on activities related to the Swachhata Action Plan (SAP) for hygiene and sanitation. Release of funds for SAP Component under Samagra Shiksha for the years 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21 are given below: