The government has proposed to set up high-tech laboratories with 10-20 computers in 3,090 high schools and 2,939 higher secondary schools at a cost of ₹462.60 crore.
The State has allocated ₹333 crore and will take a loan of ₹200 crore from National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) to improve infrastructure in schools, Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam announced on Thursday in his budget speech.
The government has allocated ₹200.7 crore for Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act for 2018-19. To ensure all students receive schooling, the government has planned to bring to mainstream education 33,519 dropouts identified by the School Education Department.
A total of ₹1,653.89 crore has been allocated for the government’s slew of welfare measures, such as four sets of school uniform, satchels, footwear, study material, cycles and free bus passes.
₹758 crore for laptops
This fiscal, the government will set aside ₹758 crore for providing laptops to school students. An estimated ₹1,750 crore would be allocated to Sarva Siksha Abhyan and ₹850 crore for Rashtriya Madhyamik Siksha Abhyan, Mr. Panneerselvam said.
In all, the State Budget had allocated ₹27,205.88 crore for the department for 2018-19.
