First Instalment of SSK Funds Released to Kerala, State Committed to Securing Full Central Allocation: Minister Sivankutty

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala General Education Minister V Sivankutty said on Wednesday that the state government has received the first instalment of central funds under the Samagra Shiksha Kerala (SSK) scheme.

Addressing reporters, the minister said that out of the 109 crore rupees approved by the central government for educational purposes, 92.41 crore rupees was sanctioned a day ago. “This is the recurring fund entitled to children under the Right to Education Act,” Sivankutty said.

He added that the non-recurring funds worth 17 crore rupees, meant for construction and infrastructure-related work, are yet to be released. Even after the latest approval, arrears amounting to 1,158 crore rupees from the 2023–24 financial year remain pending with the Centre, the minister said.

Sivankutty also pointed out that the central government had informed the Supreme Court that it would soon allocate SSK funds related to the appointment of special educators for differently-abled children. “It is expected that the Centre will soon fulfil its assurance,” he said.

As per the recommendations of the Rehabilitation Council of India, there should be one special educator for every ten differently-abled students from classes 1 to 5, and one for every fifteen students from class 6 onwards. However, since most schools in Kerala do not have that many differently-abled children, the government has proposed grouping multiple schools as a single unit. Based on this model, over 4,000 special educators would be required across the state.

The minister said the issue directly affects around 45 lakh children studying in public schools. He added that the impact has not been widely felt in Kerala because the state government has been covering the Centre’s share to ensure the smooth functioning of schools.

Sivankutty reaffirmed that Kerala will take all necessary steps to secure the central funds that the state rightfully deserves under the SSK scheme.