The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan office in Giridih. Picture by Shahnawaz Akhtar

Giridih, Feb. 12: The report of this fiscal is almost ready. Giridih is poised to emerge as the “top” performer in Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan in the state.

Right from being successful in utilising a large portion of the funds allotted under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) to recording a fall in dropout rate, the district has improved its performance on every front. Strict action taken by the education department to streamline the system is being cited as the reason behind the excellent show.

The department has acted against around 100 teaching and non-teaching staff, who were found to be shirking their responsibilities. More 200 are under the scanner.

The department has spent 86 per cent of the total SSA funds of Rs 159 crore, the maximum since 2003-04 when the scheme was implemented.

“Till January, we have spent Rs 111 crore and we have a target to finish the total funds,” said district superintendent of education-cum-district programme officer Rajnikant Verma.

Further, when it comes to implementation of midday meal, Giridih is way ahead of other districts. The number of beneficiaries has increased. So has the access to food. Quality of food has also improved. As a result, more children are attending schools and the dropout rate has come down.

There are 3,333 primary and middle schools in the district, where 4.5 lakh children are studying. “This year, the attendance rate has been around 65 per cent across Giridih till now. The dropout rate has gone down to 11 per cent,” said Verma.

The teachers of Giridih have not been promoted for the past 10 years. Some had not got promotion for 15 to 20 years. Verma said he has taken concrete steps in this regard and the gradation and seniority of 1,000 teachers is ready. All will be promoted within a month.