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• Delhi govt sanctions Rs 20.20 crore Composite Grant for 2,645 schools under Samagra Shiksha
• Rs 10.55 crore allocated to 1,569 elementary schools & Rs 9.65 crore to 1,076 secondary schools
• Funds to cover repairs, learning resources, co-curriculars & Swachhta Action Plan activities

The Delhi government sanctioned Rs 20.20 crore as Composite School Grant for 2,645 government schools under the Samagra Shiksha scheme, said officials. The grant supports quality initiatives, including operational costs such as stationery, minor repairs, first aid, and other inputs, with a percentage also being earmarked for quality interventions and hygiene activities.

As per the Education Department, the total of Rs 2020.90 lakh has been sanctioned for schools under Directorate of Education (DoE), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and Delhi Cantonment Board (DCB).

Out of the total amount sanctioned, Rs 10.55 crore will be disbursed to 1,569 elementary schools (up to class VIII) and Rs 9.65 crore to 1,076 secondary schools (up to class X or XII), the department announced in a circular published on Tuesday.

A Composite School Grant (CSG) is a yearly grant given to government schools under the Samagra Shiksha scheme to enhance the quality of education and provide a good learning environment.

The grant is intended to support additional funding for school improvement in terms of quality and to improve the learning environment for students. SMCs, Students' Councils, and school heads have been requested to ensure responsible utilization of funds, it added.

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The regulations permit spending the funds on repairing or replacing out-of-order equipment, annual maintenance of school buildings, toilets, painting boundary walls, buying and repairing musical instruments, and developing inclusive facilities like ramps and accessible toilets.

The schools can also spend the grant on co-curricular activities such as debates, quizzes, art and craft workshops, health awareness drives, and celebrations of national days and important occasions. At least 10 per cent of the amount must mandatorily be utilized for activities under the Swachhta Action Plan.

The money can also be utilized for organizing cultural activities under Kala Utsav, science exhibitions, guest lectures, and awareness campaigns on gender sensitisation, safe and unsafe touch, and drug abuse.

Besides, the grant can also fund small recurring expenses like teaching materials, play equipment, internet costs, printing of certificates, and rewards for students who perform well in attendance, tidiness, or uniform discipline. But purchase of furniture such as almirahs and personal items for staff is excluded, the release continued.