RTI in Education

Great WORK

Guide to Using Right to Information to improve public education

Prepared by

Barkha Henry

Cyriac Joseph

Sakshi Trust - Bangalore

Table of Contents21. Introduction

2Education is a Human Right.

2About Sakshi

32. Context of the Guide

43. How to use the Guide

54. Overview of the Guide

65. Problems that Exist.

76. Your Right to Information

87. Filing an RTI Application

8a. Identify the Problem:

8b. Draft your questions

8c. Submit Your Right to Information Application

8d. What next on Response

9e. What Next- No Response

108. Ready to use RTI Samples Step by Step

11STEP 1 Understanding the Department.

11For States other than Karnataka

11Please file an RTI application asking with regard to the entitlement in general

11TO

11The PIO

12I have submitted the initial application fees of Rs.10/- vide

13STEP 2 Filing Applications (ready to use samples) requesting information.

13A. Uniforms: BEO Block Education Officer

14B. Text Books: BEO- Block Education Office

14C. School Bags and Note books: BEO (Block Education Officer)

15D. School Fee Structure: BEO Block Education Officer

16E. Physically/Mentally Challenged Children: BEO Block Education Officer

16F. Annual Scholarship for SC/ST children: BEO Block Education Officer

17G. Attendance Scholarship: BEO Block Education Officer

18H. Town Scholarship: BEO Block Education Officer

19G. Health: BEO Block Education Officer, DHO District Health officer

19I. SSA- Sarva Shikshana Abhiyan, Block Resource Centre Officer- Block Education Officer.

22STEP 3 Filing a Complaint in case of unsatisfactory response to your RTI applications.

24Step 4 Handling the Complaint in the State Information Commission

25Step 5 How to Use the Information Given

279. List of Government Departments/ Offices (KARNATAKA / EDUCATION AND ANMINISTRATIVE CHART)

3010. List of PIOs in Karnataka and other States.

3111. Chief Information Commissioners of States

3312. Bibliography

1. Introduction

Education is a Human Right.

Article of The Universal Declaration on Human Rights (1948) recognizes education along with other necessities such as food, shelter, and water as a fundamental human right.

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified by 192 countries in 1989, affirms the right to all children to free, relevant and quality education.

At the World Education Forum in Dakar in 2000, participants from 164 countries pledged to provide education for all by 2015.About Sakshi

Sakshi Trust is an NGO committed towards training citizens on how to use the RTI Act to improve governance. It is a Trust registered bearing number BNG (U)-BLR(s) 557/2005-06. The Trust was started in the month of September 2005. The average age of our team is under 30 years and comprises of two trustees and one employee.Sakshi aspires to create a thriving environment for participatory governance by training a threshold number of role model citizens in the application of the Right to Information Act, who with their success stories would encourage other citizens in emulating them, thereby effecting a more transparent and accountable government2. Context of the GuideMany government primary and secondary schools in Karnataka are not being administered efficiently and the state mandate to aid students in their education not being observed in the manner required. Teacher absenteeism, increasing attrition rate of students, unavailability of free text books, infrequent health check ups etc. have become the status quo. This RTI guide seeks to specifically address the problems of government run primary and secondary education in Karnataka.

For best use, please refer to the list of officials and the districts under their jurisdiction.

3. How to use the Guide

The Guide book assumes that the reader is already familiar with the RTI Act. However, to those who are new to the Act and the problems in the primary and secondary education, a concise overview has been provided for a quick reference.

It includes a step wise guide to drafting RTI applications and provides a useful tool to seek information by any one concerned, an NGO, or even parents. The context of the applications in this book are made from the perspective of specific school that the citizen maybe concerned about . The first step therefore is to identify a neighborhood school in your area of residence / workplace that you feel can be improved on.Those desirous of knowing more on the subject can visit our link at www.sakshitrust.orgDisclaimer

The above guide is prepared only to assist citizens in using the Right to Information Act 2005. This should not be taken as an alternative to the Act. Readers are advised to consult the Right to Information act 2005 before taking any action based on this guide.4. Overview of the GuideEducation is one thing that can change the state of our nation. But this is also the department where a lot of corruption exists. It can only be agreed upon that a close inspection of the structures constituting the sector be done and questions raised.

This book intends to provide a step wise guide to drafting an RTI application in the context of public education. However, the book has been especially designed to facilitate NGOs, parents, students or any concerned individuals participation in the educational sector with reference to the RTI Act. It contains a detailed background on the educational system (primary and secondary education in Karnataka) and as such will be useful to any one seeking general information as well ready to use list of applications has been pre formatted and drafted that one can use to seek information from any educational offices pertaining to a particular school the user might have in mind. We have included a brief study and put down RTI applications for your reference that one may seek relevant information in an effort to facilitate a more transparent and a more accountable system of governance.

5. Problems that Exist.The PROBE (Public Report on Basic Education) report (conducted by Akshara Foundation) shows appalling data about the lack of or dysfunctional state of basic amenities in many schools. As many as:

52 per cent lacked playgrounds 89 per cent did not have toilets 59 per cent did not have drinking water. As for teaching aids:

26 per cent did not have blackboards59 per cent had no access to maps and charts67 per cent lacked any kind of teaching kits75 per cent had no toys for the children77 per cent of the schools, there were no libraries. There are around 45,000 primary schools. It also reminds us that only one to five per cent of out-of-school children are actually involved in earning significant wages. Many of the children working up to eight hours a day were not earning any significant income as they were involved in jobs like looking after their siblings, cattle grazing etc. and not in wage-earning labor. Another surprising and heartening finding was that 98 per cent of parents felt that education was necessary for boys, and 89 per cent felt it was necessary for girls. Hence, a critical overview of the structures and their subsets is required and to cite main poverty as the prime cause would be insufficient. This immediately raises an alarm and calls in for a more transparent connection with the structure and the people involved. The government has a pivotal part to play and there is no assumption about that. A call for a more transparent and accountable system is what is in need from NGOs and citizens. To begin with, provisions in the legislation mandate the government to be a sufficient resource for schools. Government schools broadly fall into three categories a) Government schoolsb) Government-aided schoolsc) Government recognized schools. Government schools are completely government owned, and government recognized schools are private schools (serving the privileged) and government recognition is necessary before the schools can conduct board exams and issue certificates (instituted by the government with the goal of quality control). Schools can apply for government aided status typically after a few years of existence, where they show the worthiness of the school. However, only government approved curriculum can be used, and also usually the government specifies the medium of instruction.

It is evident that we partake the governments role towards meeting out the challenges that lies inherent in its system and lead it towards a more transparent and a more accountable one. It is quite typical for citizens and NGOs to come across corrupt and indifferent officials making use of government schemes and funds e.g. Handicapped students are to be provided with crutches and are not being provided. Such instances are abound across various schemes.6. Your Right to Information

With the introduction of the Act in 2005, a significant door has been opened to the citizens of India to the way our government runs.

Right to Information Act is a legislation that allows the public to access information regarding government spending and policy. Article 19(1) (a) of the Indian Constitution guarantees the fundamental rights to free speech and expressions. Like any other servant who is accountable to their employers the public servant is accountable to the people

The Indian RTI Act has been acknowledged as one of the most progressive across the world. Some of its key features are:

(a) Officers who dont respond within the stipulated 30 days can be fined Rs.250 per day, further their personal service records can be affected by the same.

(b) Leaving out some 18 government bodies every branch, department, ministry, public sector enterprise including the armed forces is bound to respond to request for information by citizens.

(c) Separate information Commission for enforcement of the law at both state and central level.

(d) Low cost of information and exemption of fees for below the poverty line citizens.

(e) Requires Public authorities to disclose some standard information voluntarily.

RTI upholds the notion of transparency and accountability in democratic governance. With relevance to which the Act states:

The right of any citizen of India to request access to information and the corresponding duty of the government to meet the request, except the exempted information (Sec 18/19)

The duty of the government to proactively make key available key information to all (Sec 4)

7. Filing an RTI Application

a. Identify the Problem:

The first obvious step would be to identify the problem that the applicant feels strongly about, for e.g. it could be bad roads in ones locality or a school in this case. Then the department pertaining to the grievance has to be identified which in this case is the Municipal Corporation of the area our . To locate the PIO (Public Information Officer), the applicant can check the web or call the ministry for information. If unsuccessful, he/she can just hand over the application to the reception/receiving clerk/tap pal section to get acknowledgement or otherwise send the same by registered acknowledgement. At the end of the day, persistence pays off, as it is imperative that the administrator in question responds within the stipulated time of 30days.

b. Draft your questions

The basic information request should have open ended questions that would get into details. The applicant should make clear in the application the period, location, budget, contract work or departmental work information that can generate action. More importantly, the four stroke approach can be used to get action of files and grievances that have been pending for a long time. The four stroke approach in a Right to Information Application has four questions listed below

Question 1: What is the Daily/Monthly progress on file/process/complaint? (In combination to these forces the public authority to acknowledge that it is running a bad process)

Question 2: What is the norm in which the department handles such file/ process/ complaint? (In combination with question 1, this forces the public authority to acknowledge that it is running a bad process as compared to the norm)

Question 3: Who are the officers responsible? (This question fixes blame for running a bad process)

Question 4: What action has been taken against officers who are delaying? (On fixing the blame the last question forces the public authority to penalize the concerned officer)

On receiving such questions, the public authority has only two options. Either respond to the citizens query and therefore admit blame and penalize an officer or do the work as per the norm. Invariably the officer will choose the latter.c. Submit Your Right to Information Application

After the application is drafted, it can be submitted along with a deposit of Rs.10 to the concerned department or PIO. According to rules of the Karnataka government, this deposit can be made as an IPO, DD or cash. It is important to take an acknowledgement from the person who receives the application and also record how the money was remitted, on the duplicate form. The acknowledgement is required in case you dont get a reply and wish to appeal to the Information Commission. In the case of education, being a state subject, the PIO in cases relating to higher and primary schools would be the under secretary for primary education. One could however also devise a well drafted set of questions to Planning section of the department which releases central and state grants for various schemes which could tell you more than if you asked the same questions from the primary and higher education department.d. What next on Response

If on response, the applicant finds any discrepancy in what is stated on paper and the actual situation, he/she escalate the case to senior officers or the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) or the Lok Ayukta or even file a Public Litigation (PIL) with the court.

If the problem can be solved, the government official is likely to rectify the problem before responding, in order to cover up any evidence of wrongdoing or having to penalize an officer of his/her department.

e. What Next- No Response

In case the user does not receive a response to the RTI in the case where: Unable to submit request

Non appointment of PIO

Refusal to accept application

Refusal to access information

Refusal to respond within time specified

Unreasonable feesIn these cases a complaint can be lodged under section 18 to the State or Central Information Commission who will subsequently issue summons to the concerned PIO/ HOD.

8. Ready to use RTI Samples Step by StepSTEP 1 Understanding the Department.

Send an application for the suo moto declaration of the Education Board in your district. The purpose of this step is to understand the organizational duties/ powers of the several officers and locate the Public Information officer with whom your requests for information are to be filed. It might also give you insights into the overall budgets and working rules of the department.

[Date]

To

Education Board of Karnataka[Name of district] District

[Name of state] State

Application for requesting the voluntary declaration under sec 4(1)(b) of the Right to Information Act 2005

Kindly provide me the voluntary declaration of your department as specified under the Right to Information Act 2007.

S/d-

[Name]

[Address]

This letter can be sent by registered post (RPAD) from any Post office or physically delivered to the Education Office. Please remember to keep an acknowledged copy/ Acknowledgement card of RPAD delivery card along with copy of letter with you for future escalation. Please do not submit your letter if application is not acknowledged when delivering physically.

In case of any issues e.g. not getting a response, being refused submission/acknowledgement or inadequately compiled information in the declaration please use the complaint form given in STEP 3 and submit it to the relevant State Information Commission. On receipt of a satisfactory response proceed to STEP 2For States other than Karnataka

Please file an RTI application asking with regard to the entitlements in general and use the same in step 2ToThe PIO

State Education Department

Form A for requesting information under Right to Information Act 2005

Under section 6(1)Name of applicantAddress of applicantInformation Required:

1. Please provide a list of entitlement for school bags, text books, workbooks, Waiver of fees, various scholarships.

2. Please provide the eligibility criteria for each of these schemes

3. What are grants made available under centrally sponsored Sarva Shiksha abhiyaan for each school.

4. Copy of notification issued to schools with regard to the above mentioned schemes and grants.

Place

Date

Signature

I have submitted the initial application fees of Rs.10/- vide

STEP 2 Filing Applications (ready to use samples) requesting information.

Note: Following RTI applications have been carefully framed for almost every aspect of governance in the primary and secondary education in Karnataka and can be used for other states as well except the government benefits may vary. Each of these application have to be submitted to a Public Information Officer(PIO). The address and designation of PIO will be available from the suo moto declaration that the user will receive in step 1. Alternatively you can call your education department and ask who the concerned PIO for your query is. We however strongly recommend that you ask for the Suo Moto declaration as mentioned in Step 1 to better understand the workings of the department and frame more incisive questions.In your application fill in the name of school that you are asking questions about. Please use the official name of the school to enable the PIO to identify the school properly and provide the information required.A. Uniforms: BEO Block Education Officer

Benefits- Currently in practice in Karnataka Classes 1-7: One set of clothes (top and bottom) for all children

Classes 8- 10: One set of clothes (top and bottom) for all girls irrespective of caste.Check with the students /parents of the school if these benefits are reaching them. If not use the application form to find out moreTo,

The PIO


Under section 6(1)

A. Full Name of applicant:

b. Address of applicant:

c. Information RequiredWith regard to _______ School, and the distribution of free uniforms to the students, I would like to seek information for the following questions:

1. Who is the government officer who approved the number of uniforms/cash in lieu of uniforms for students of XXXX school? Please provide the documents/proposals on the basis of which the numbers were decided for the above mentioned school for the period of academic year of 2005 & 2006.2. What is the procedure for issue of uniform to students of XXXXX school?3. How many uniform sets have been issued to each class of the school?

4. Who is the officer who inspects the distribution of uniforms/cash in lieu of uniforms? Please provide a copy of such a report?

5. Please provide a copy of the document that shows the uniforms/cash in lieu of uniforms have been dispatched and received for the last two academic years (2005-2006).

6. Please provide a copy of the document that shows the list of the names of the students between classes 1-7 who have received their uniforms for the last two years (2005 & 2006).

7. Please provide a copy of the document that shows the list of the names of the girls between classes 8-10 who have received their uniforms for the last two academic years (2005&2006)

8. Please provide the annual report for the past two years on the provisions made to the students with regards to the uniforms received.

d. Place, Date and Signature.

I have paid the application fees of Rs.10 vide IPO no:

B. Text Books: BEO- Block Education Office

Benefits- Currently in practice in Karnataka Classes 1-7: All children should get workbooks semester-wise.

Classes 8-10: Girls belonging to SC/ST should get textbooks.Check with the students /parents of the school if these benefits are reaching them. If not use the application form to find out more.To, The PIO


Under section 6(1)

a. Full Name of applicant:

b. Address of applicant:c. Information RequiredWith regard to _________School the government has not provided students with the set of workbooks that they are entitled to. As per the government norms, students between classes 1-7 are entitled to get workbook semester wise and girls between classes 8-10 (belonging to SC/ST) are entitled to get textbooks. I would like to seek information for the following:

1. Who is the government officer who approved the number of text books for students of XXXX school? Please provide the documents/proposals on the basis of which the numbers were decided for the above mentioned school for the period of academic year of 2005 & 2006.2. What is the procedure for issue of workbooks/textbooks to students of XXXXX school?3. How many textbooks/workbooks have been issued to each class of the school?

4. Who is the officer who inspects the distribution of text books/workbooks? Please provide a copy of such a report for such distribution conducted in 2006-2007?

5. Please provide a copy of the document that shows the textbooks/workbooks have been dispatched and received for the last two academic years (2005 and 2006).

6. Please provide a copy of the document that shows the list of the names of the students between classes 1-7 who have received their text books for the last two academic years (2005 & 2006).

7. Please provide a copy of the document that shows the list of the names of the girls between classes 8-10 who have received their textbooks/workbooks for the last two academic years (2005&2006)

8. Please provide a copy of the official record that shows the number of students between classes 1-7 and also provide a copy that indicates the number of girls between classes 8-10 in the above mentioned school.

Name, Date and Signature.


C. School Bags and Note books: BEO (Block Education Officer)

Benefits- Currently in practice in Karnataka Classes 5-7: Children belonging to SC/ST should get school bags and not books.

To,

The PIO


Under section 6(1)

Full Name:

Address:

With regard to the distribution of school bags to the SC/ST children belonging to the ________ School I would like to ask you the following questions:

1. Who is the government officer who approved the number of school bags for SC/ST students of XXXX school? Please provide the documents/proposals on the basis of which the numbers were decided for the above mentioned school for the period of academic year of 2005 & 2006.2. What is the procedure for issue of school bags for SC/ST students of XXXXX school?3. How many school bags have been issued to each class of the school?

4. Who is the officer(s) who inspects and supervises the distribution of school bags? Please provide a copy of such a report for such distribution conducted in 2006-2007?

5. Please provide a copy of the document that shows the school bags have been dispatched and received for the last two academic years (2005 and 2006).

6. Please provide a copy of the document that shows the list of the names of the students between classes 1-7 who have received their school bags for the last two academic years (2005 & 2006).

7. Please provide a copy of the document that shows the total list of SC/ST students in the above school for the last two academic years (2005&2006)

d. Name, Date and Signature.


D. School Fee Structure: BEO Block Education Officer

Ensure that you get a receipt for the fees paid, teachers are not supposed to charge anything extra which they usually write for behind the receipt and demand the children pay that extra amount.

Benefits- Currently in practice in Karnataka

Classes 1 4 : No fees

Classes 5 7 : No fees for SC/ST children

Classes 8 10: Children belonging to SC/ST should pay only Rs. 70.

Classes 8 10: Children of other castes should pay only Rs. 145.

To,

The PIO


Under section 6(1)

a. Full Name:

b. Address:

c. Information Required

With regard to the payment and the collection of fees for _______School, I seek the following information:

1. Who is the authority in the school responsible for the collection of the fees from the student?

2. Please provide a copy of the receipt of fees made by the students for the academic year 2005 and 2006.

3. Please provide an official record of the number of SC/ST students between classes 8-10.

4. Please provide an official record of the total number of students in classes 8-10.

5. What is the mandate/ rules for the students in their payment of fees?(classes 8-10)

6. Please provide a detailed description of the tuition fees in practice for the period 2005-2006.

7. To which department is the fees accounted towards?

8. Please provide an official copy on payments received from this school on the account of fees from the government department responsible for the upkeep of the school accounts.



E. Physically/Mentally Challenged Children: BEO Block Education Officer

Benefits- Currently in practice in Karnataka1. Affected children should get a Medical certificate from the doctor in Government hospital.

2. Ask your head master to have an application to the BEO either for crutches or Tricycle depending on each case. Attach the Medical certificate.

3. Affected children should get monthly pension of Rs. ***.

To,

The PIO


Under section 6(1)

Full Name:

Address:

With regard to physically and mentally challenged students in _________ School and upkeep of the government provisions made toward such children, I seek the following Information:

1. Please provide an official document of the numbers of children who are mentally and physically challenged in the school along with their medical certificates.

2. Who is the authority from the school responsible for filling application to the BEO for seeking aid for such children?

3. Please provide all applications submitted for such aid in 2005-2006.

4. Who is the authority responsible for the disbursal of the aid requested for?

5. Provide a copy of the document showing the required aid dispatched towards the school in the year 2005-2006?

6. What are the different aids that the government is mandate to provide in response to the applications requesting for such aid?

7. Please provide a copy of the monthly pension that the physically and mentally challenged children are entitled for a year; also provide a receipt of the same signed by the students/parents.

Name, Date and Signature

I have paid the application fees of Rs.10 IPO vide no:

F. Annual Scholarship for SC/ST children: BEO Block Education Officer

Benefits- Currently in practice in Karnataka Apply through the Head master of the school to the Social Welfare Department for Annual Student Scholarship. (Please attach Caste Certificate to the application)

Classes 1 4 : Rs. 75.

Classes 5 7 : Rs. 75. (Children of BCM can also avail this scholarship).

Classes 8 10: Rs. 600.

To,

The PIO


Under section 6(1)

a. Full Name:

b. Address:


With regard to the Annual Student Scholarship of ___________school I would like to seeke information for the following questions:

1. Who is the authority in the school responsible for the distribution of the annual student scholarship to the students?

2. Who is the government officer who authorizes this Annual Scholarship to the students?

3. Please provide a copy of the names of the students and the amount they have received as their annual scholarship between classes 1-4 for the academic year 2006.

3. Please provide a copy of the names of the students and the amount they have received as their annual scholarship between classes 5-7 for the academic year 2006.

4. Please provide a copy of the names of the students and the amount they have received as their annual scholarship between classes 8-10 for the academic year 2006.5. Please provide an official record of the number of SC/ST students in classes 8-10.

6. Please details the step by step process showing how the scholarship amount is transferred from the concerned department to the school?

7.Please provide an official copy on disbursement made to this school on the account of annual student scholarship from the government department responsible for the upkeep of the school accounts.



G. Attendance Scholarship: BEO Block Education Officer

Benefits- Currently in practice in Karnataka Classes 5 10 : All girls who have secured 80% and above attendance in their respective classes can claim Rs.600 pa to ask Attendance scholarship from their Head Masters.

Junior College: Rs.900 pa.

To,

The PIO


Under section 6(1)

a. Full Name:

b. Address:

c. With regard to the Attendance Scholarship of ___________school I would like to seek the following information:

1. Who is the authority in the school responsible for the distribution of the Attendance scholarship to the students?

2. Who is the government officer who authorizes the disbursal of Attendance Scholarship to the students?

3. Please provide a copy of the names of the girl students, attendance report and the amount they have received as their attendance scholarship between classes 5-10 for the year 2006.

3. Who is the person responsible for the upkeep of the Attendance Scholarship report (attendance register)?

4. Please explain the step by step process showing how the fund for this scholarship transferred to the school and the subsequent distribution of the same to the eligible students.5. Please provide a copy of the names of the students and the amount they have received as their annual attendance scholarship for the Junior College?

6. How is the inspection of the disbursal of scholarship done and who does it. Please show a document showing the proof of disbursal of scholarship to students for this school.d. Name, Date and Signature.


H. Town Scholarship: BEO Block Education Officer

Benefits- Currently in practice in Karnataka SC/ST Children residing within town limits (includes Taluk Headquarters) can claim Rs.500 as Student Scholarship from the Municipal Office. (Please attach Caste Certificates, Study Certificates, Fees Receipt and Ration Card to the application from the Head Master).

To,

The PIO


Under section 6(1)

a. Full Name:

b. Address:


With regard to the SC/ST children in ________ School, residing within town limits and their student scholarship I would like to ask seek the following questions:

1. Who is the government officer who authorizes the student scholarship for the SC/ST children residing within town limits?

2. Who is the government officer who is responsible for the distribution of the scholarship amount to these children?

3. Please provide a copy of the names of the students who have received the town scholarship for the school for the academic year 2005 and 2006.4. Please show the document showing the proof that the scholarship has been disbursed to the above mentioned students for this school for the year 2005 and 2006.5. Who is the officer who inspects the disbursal of the scholarship. When was the inspection for this school done. Please provide a copy of such inspection conducted for the academic year 2005 and 2006.d. Name, Date and Signature.


G. Health: BEO Block Education Officer, DHO District Health officerBenefits- Currently in practice in Karnataka Government Doctors should visit government schools once every three months. They have to give each child a general health check-up. They also have to distribute iron supplement tablets, D-worming medication and Vitamin supplements.

To,

The PIO


Under section 6(1)

a. Full Name:

b. Address:

c. With regard to the Medical check up and distribution of the medicines in ___________school I would like to seek information for the following questions:

1. Who is the Government doctor assigned for visiting the school every three months for the medical check up of the students for the academic year 2005 and 2006?

2. Who is the person responsible for the distribution of the medicines to students for the year 2005 and 2006?

3. Please provide a copy of the doctors visit to the school for the last two years.(2005-06)

4. Please provide a copy of the medicines distributed to the children of the school.

5. Please provide medical check-up papers/records for the children between the years 2005-06.

6. Please provide a copy of the official record that indicates the total number of children in the school.

7. Please provide a copy that details the types of the medicines distributed with the names and expiry date.


I have paid the application fees of Rs.10 vide IPOI. SSA- Sarva Shikshana Abhiyan, Block Resource Centre Officer- Block Education Officer.

Benefits- Currently in practice in KarnatakaEvery Government school should have the below. If not, they will be provided for and the budget for each is given below.

- Toilet - Rs. 25,000

- Drinking Water Tanks/ Cisterns - Rs. 10,000

- Extra Class Room - Rs. 2, 30,000

- Ramp for Physically challenged Children - Rs. 6,000

- School Grants for small up-gradation - Rs. 2000

- Chats and Maps (Teaching Aids) - Rs. 500

- Compound Wall - Rs. 50,000

- Electricity - Rs. 5,000

To,

The PIO


Under section 6(1)

Full Name:

Address:

With regard to the allocation received under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan towards XXXXX government school, I would like to seek the following questions:

1. What is procedure for applying and for disbursal of grant under SSA for the above mentioned school.

2. Has the head master of the school received any notification with regard to availability of grant under SSA. If yes please provide a copy of such notification / letter dispatched to the head master of this school.

3. Has the any proposal received under SSA from this school. If yes please provide a copy of all such proposal received.

4. Of the proposal received how many such proposal have been approved and executed. Please show a copy of document indicating the disbursal of funds under these proposals.

5. Please explain the step by step proposal for disbursal and execution of proposal under SSA. Toilets1. What is the amount that is given to ______ School for the construction and maintenance of the toilets?

2. How many toilets were officially supposed to be constructed in this school?

3. How many toilets are there for girls (separately) and for boys.

4. Who is the person who goes for inspection of the toilets to ensure it is clean and that the children can use the toilet in proper hygienic conditions?

5. Please provide an official copy that shows the name of the contractor and the number of toilets that was constructed.

6. Please provide a copy that shows that the fund has been given and acknowledged by the school

Drinking Water.

1. What is the amount that was sanctioned for the construction of Drinking water tanks/ Cisterns and for how many numbers?

2. How many drinking water tanks/cisterns are constructed in this school?

3. Who is the person that is supposed to go at regular intervals to ensure that the drinking water is safe for the children to consume?

4. Please provide a copy which shows the number of drinking water tanks/cisterns constructed in the school.

5. Please provide a copy which shows that the water is examined and checked for drinking at regular intervals with the name of the person responsible.

6. Please provide a copy that shows that the fund has been given and acknowledged by the schoolExtra Class Room

1. What is the amount that is sanctioned for the construction of the extra class room in this school and for how many?

2. How many extra classrooms are constructed in this school?3. For what purpose is these classrooms used eg. Studying, library, computer room etc.?

4. Please provide an official copy that shows the number of extra classrooms that have been constructed in this school.


Ramp for physically/mentally challenged children

1. What if any amount has been sanctioned for this school for a ramp for physically challenged children and for how many?

2. How many ramps are to be officially constructed by the government for each school and how many have been constructed in this particular school?

3. Who is the person responsible for the upkeep and the maintenance of this ramp?

4. Please provide a copy which shows the contruction of the ramp for the physically and mentally challenged children of this school.


School Grants for small up-gradation

1. What is the amount that the government has sanctioned for the school grants for small up-gradation?

2. What is the amount for the above utilized for?3. Who is the School authority who handles the School grants?

4. Please provide a copy that School Grants have been given and acknowledged by the school.


Chats and Maps (Teaching Aids)

1. What is the amount that is sanctioned for the Chats and Maps for this School?

2. Who is the School authority who receives the fund for the above?

3. Please provide a copy that shows that the fund has been given and acknowledged by the school.

Compound Wall

1. Who is officer who authorizes the funds for the Compound Wall for ________School? 2. What is the amount that was sanctioned?

3. Who is the person responsible for the construction of this wall?

4. Please prove a document showing the height and width of the wall and the material used for construction.

5. Please provide a copy which shows the starting and finishing date of the contruction of the compound wall of this school. 6. Please provide a copy that shows that the fund has been given and acknowledged by the schoolElectricity

1. What is the amount that is sanctioned for the electricity charges?

2. Who is the person responsible who makes sure that electricity is available for the School?

3. Please provide a document which shows the funds have been given and acknowledged by the school.

4. Please provide a copy which shows the bill which has been paid by the School authority for the electricity charges for this school. Name, Date and Signature.

I have paid the application fees of Rs.10 vide IPOSTEP 3 Filing a Complaint in case of unsatisfactory response to your RTI applications.In case you do not receive a response to your request for the suo moto declaration or you do not get a response to your request for information in STEP 2 in 30 days please use the format given below to file you complaint under the RTI Act 2005 with your State Information Commission.

Date

To the

__________ Information Commisioner(for address see list of state information commissioners)

Sub: Complaint under section 18 of the right to information Act

I [your name] have (Please choose one)

Requested for the voluntary declaration under sec 4(1)(b) for the [name of department] under the Right to information Act 2005 vide letter dated (copy of letter attached) but the PIO/department has (please tick)

Refused to accept the application

Refused to provide the information

Other (please specify)

Please proceed against the department/ PIO under section 18 of the right to information Act 2005 and provide me redress

I [your name] have applied under the right to Information Act 2005 section 6(1) as per the copy attached date [dd-mm-yyyy] however the PIO/department

Has refused to provide me the above information even XX days after submission of the application

Has refused to accept the application

Has refused to identify /appoint a PIO

PIO is missing

Has misguided the applicant by (Specify ________________________)

Is asking unreasonable fees of Rs.___ for ____ no. of pages/CDs/Samples

Others (Please Specify) _________________________________________________________________

Please issue summons to HOD/PIO and provide me redress

Youre sincerely

[S/d-]

[Your name]

[Address]

Note: Remember to keep an acknowledged copy of you complaint with you for further follow up if required. You can send your complaint through RPAD to the concerned State Information Commission

Step 4 Handling the Complaint in the State Information Commission On filing you complaint you will receive date of hearing of your complaint or the State information Commision will issue specific instruction to the PIO for giving the requested information. Ideally you could personally attend the hearing and appeal for maximum penalty under the Act against the PIO or alternatively follow up on your case on the ICs website.

After the ICs hearing you should receive information as per the instruction of the IC if the same still does not happen then intimate the IC using complaint letter format given in Step 3.

On receipt of information proceed to Step 5.

Step 5 How to Use the Information GivenOn receipt of information you can do the following

1. Request for information on Annual confident ional report filed by superior office on incompetent officers and scrutinize the comments made with regard to the functioning of any incompetent officers. Bring issue to the notice of the home ministry regarding the lack of action being taken on these cases. Follow up with a RTI application asking for the Action Taken Report (ATR) on your complaint.

2. Provide the received information to the press

3. File a PIL (Public Interest Litigation) in court asking the court to take cognizance for the gross negligence of the education department and the concerned officers on this issue

4. File a complaint (physically or by Registered post) with the Under Secretary for State Primary and Higher education department stating clearly the details of the discrepancy detected please attach copies of the documents that you have received from the filing of your RTI application and stating the reality that exists in the school.To

The under secretary

Primary and Secondary Education DepartmentAddress

This is to inform you that we have filed an RTI application with regard to (mention the scheme) for the (name of School).We have found that the scheme has been misused __________________________________________

(Mention clearly what discrepancy you have noticed)

You are requested to investigate the same and take appropriate action against the officers who have misused the funds for the same.

Signed

Address

Date

In case there is no discernable change after this complaint wait after month/fifteen days please file an RTI application given below

To

To PIO

Under Secretary


Under section 6(1)

Name

Address

Information Required:

With reference to the complaint submitted to the under secretary of the education department please provide the following information.

1. Please show the daily progress on the complaint I have submitted (copy of the complaint attached)

2. What is norm with regard to investigation of complaints. As per the department rules by what time should such an investigation be completed?

3. Who is officer/officers responsible for conducting this investigation

4. Please provide a copy of action taken report on the above complaint

5. If the investigation has not been conducted satisfactorily as per the department norms, what action should be taken against such officers. Please provide me a copy of the action taken report against this officer.

Name, Place, dateI have submitted the initial application fees of Rs.10/- vide IPO no.

5. Take it to the press submit the copies/ photographs of these documents to establish your claim..9. List of Government Departments/ Offices (KARNATAKA / EDUCATION AND ANMINISTRATIVE CHART)Details for Right to Information Act, Establishment of Joint Secretary to Government-I

Education Department (Primary and Secondary)

NamesDesignationResidential Address, Phone Number

Dr.P.R.BapatJoint SecretaryNo.13/A,8th Main,4th Cross,Sapthagiri Layout, Vidyaranyapura,Bangalore-560097

B.E.Uma MaheswariPersonal Assistant (Stenographer)No.346,Varadaraja Road,2nd Cross,Bhuvaneshwari Nagar,R.T.Nagar Post, Bangalore-560032

Keshav NaikJunior AssistantNo.129,3rd Cross, Kavika Layout, Mysore Road, Bangalore-560026

R.RamakrishniahJamedarMaachohalli,Bapagrama Post, Bangalore- 560091

Sections coming under the control of the Special Officer cum Ex-Officio Joint Secretary (Planning)

Section Officer-Planning A Section Officer Planning B1. Senior Assistant 1. Senior Assistant

2. Assistant Statistical Officer 2. Assistant

3. Assistant (1) 3.Junior Assistant

4. Assistant (2) 4.Typist

5. Junior Assistant 5. Dalayat.

Subject Allotted to Planning A Section

1. Section Officer: Planning (A)

Junior AssistantAssistant Statistical OfficerAssistant (1)Assistant (2)

1) Plan Programmes

a) Annual Plan1) Matters relating to 11th Finance Commission1) Midday Meals Scheme Akshara Dasoha1) Matters relating to Ramakrishna Ashrama.

2) On going Schemes under Plan2)KDP/KTC-2 Schemes relating to Government of India2) Distribution of Uniforms, Text Books, School bags.2) Yoga Shikshana

3) Sanction of New Component Plan3)HUDCO Scheme3) Centrally sponsored Scheme regarding Integrated Educational3)Environment Education

4) Purchase of Vehicles Machinery and implements to Department coming under Education Department.4)Schemes relating to NABARD4)Regarding scholar ships granted by Govt. of India4)Building Construction to DDPI and BEOs Offices

5)Matters relating to Morarji Residential Shools5) Matters relating to statistics.5) Matters Up of a transferred in Education Department.5) Conducting of MMR meeting release of grants under Centrally Sponsored Scheme.

6)Matters relating to Other Residential Schools6)Construction repairs of School/College Buildings6) Matters relating to 12th Finance Commission.6) Grants relating to RIE Society.

7)Staff salaries in Education Department7)Schemes relating to 12th Finance commission7) Programme relating to Women and Child welfare.

8)Bidar package8)Bellary Package8)Aids-Prevention Issues

9)Matters relating to Anglo India Community9)Edusat Scheme9) Grants to buildings regarding Jayacharna-Rajendra Sanskrit College.

10)Gulbarga Package10) Settings up of District Education and Training Centers10)Bala Karmika Yojane

11) Matters relating to budgets speech.11)Kodagu Package

12)Providing(materials) Information regarding Governors Speech

13)Offering of Govt.grants to Institutions, Corporations etc.

14) Prep of Performance Budget.

15)Starting of Kuvempu Model Schools

SL.NoNameDesignationAddressTelephone No.

1K.SrikanteshwaraJoint SecretaryNo.25/A,10th Main Road,Gururaja Layout, 4th Cross,7th Block, B.S.K. Bangalore-7826790040

2V.SusheelaStenographyNo.126,1st Block East,Jayanagar,Bangalore55364493

3M.S.ShivaramSection OfficerNo.50, 3rdCross, Basaveshwara Layout, Bemel, 3rd Stage, Rajarajeshwarinagara.28604719

4AdirajSenior Assistant

5Smt.JayamaniAssistant-1No.C-113,K.H.B.Kotrass,Kavelbhairasandra,Extension,R.T.Nagara Post,Bangalore-3223652239

6Smt.LillykanakambaAssistant-2No.172,5th Madel Hose Strit,Nagasandra cereal,Basavanagudi-4826771127

7Smt.K.ManjulaJoiner AssistantNo.30,Jyothinagara,Varamavu(Agar),Varamavu Post,Bangalore-4357715219

4(1) (b) (ix) a directory of its officers and employees;

4(1) (b) (xvi) the names, designation and other particulars of the Public Information officers;

2) Section Officer: Planning-B

Senior AssistantAssistant

1) Release of salary grants to primary and high School Teachers under SSA scheme1) Release of grants under Centrally Sponsored Scheme.Modernizationa of Madrassa Scheme.

2) Creation of Teachers under SSA scheme.2)Release of grants under Centrally Sponsored Scheme Area Intensive Programme

3) Financial and to Pandits in indigenous Circumstance under Sanskrit education development schemes.3) Release of grants to girls Hostels in NGOs institutions.

4)Financial aid to Voluntary Organizations (NGOs institutions) to conduct conferences workshop)4)Release of grants from Government of India under:

a) Culture and Values in education

b) Environmental Education improvement scheme.

5) Grant of Salaries to Hindi teachers under C.S.S. of Improvement of languages Educations.5) MOU with Ministry of Environment Government of India regarding Environment Education programmes.

6)Implementations of ICT scheme (Mahiti Sindhu) revised class project etc.6)Starting of shifting of continuance of Vocational courses in P.U. colleges NGOs institutions etc.

7) Evolution of Mahiti Sindhu Yojane7)Sanctions of grants to starting of continuance of short term medium term Vocational courses on self Financial basis (Particularly in connection with recruitment to Army Services)

8)IBM Smarts kid programme8) Running of and continuance of continuing education centers, saksharata programme under the aegis of Directorate of Mass Education)

9)MOU with Intel and allied Matters9) Programmes relating to Ba Marali shale, Bidiyindia Shale, Kooliyinda Shale, Babale Shale under the Mass Education Department.

10) Microsoft sponsored Project Shiksha Scheme10) Starting and continuance of Alternative vocational courses approved by Mass education Executive committee recently.

11)Audit Paras relating to centrally Sponsored improvement of science education Scheme11)Constitution of state level district level, Taluk level, Saksharatha Samithi,(Official and non-official) framing of Byelaws

12)W.Ps/WAs/Original Suites supply of science equipment, kits etc by selected agencies to Government Schools under Mahiti Sindhu Yojane.12)Education through learning of children scheme in lieu of visit of honorable President of India

13)Sanction of grants to construction of Toilets etc. under S.S.A scheme in government Schools13)Dr.Ramegowda committee report

14)Sanction of grants for construction of computer class-rooms14)Dr.Dhananjaya report regarding vocationalisation of Education

15) Programmes relating to state resource center My sore.

16)Starting of Jana Shikshan Samsthe

17)Programmes relating to Mahila Samakhya

SL.No.NameDesignationAddressTelephone No.

1.N.SureshSection officerNo.274,12th Main Road,Banashankari, 1st Stage,Bangalore-5026500973

2.AnandrajSenior AssistantNo.8/C, Chaluvadhimunigalen,Dr.TCM Raman Road,Bangalore-5322710859

3.T.KenchappaAssistantNo.53/1,1st Cross,Jyothinagara,Chandralayout,Bangalore-53

4.K.E.ShivalingeshwaraJoiner Assistant No.U-45,21st Cross,Bhuvaneshwarinagara,Bangalore-23

5.K.L.MahadevayyaDalayatNo.575, 6th Main Road, 4th Cross, T.Dasarahalli, Muneshwara Block, Pipeline Road, Bangalore.

4 (1) (b) (ix) a directory of its officers and employees;

4 (1) (b) the names, designations and other particulars of the Public Information Officer, in the 10. List of PIOs in Karnataka and other States.11. Chief Information Commissioners of States

StateName Address Phone Email/website

Andhra Pradesh Shri. C D Arha AP SecretariatHyderabad - 500022 Off: +91-40 -23452620 http://www.scic.ap.gov.in

Chattisgarh Shri. A K Vijayavargiya Nirmal Chhaya BhavanMeera Datar RoadShankar NagarRaipur - 492 001 Office:0771-40244060771-4024140(Fax)Resi:0771-2331012 [email protected]

http://www.cg.nic.in/sic

Goa Shri. A Venkatratnam Shrama Shakthi Bhavan, Ground Floor, Patto Panaji, GOA.Pin 403 401 Office :0832-2413774Mobile : 09860287282 [email protected]

http://egov.goa.nic.in/rtipublic/sic.aspx

Gujarat Dr. P.K. Das 1st Floor, Bureau of Economics & Statistics Building, Sector-18, Gandhinagar-382018, Gujarat Office: 079-23252701Secretary: 079-23252966 Resi: [email protected]

Haryana Shri. G Madhavan Chief Information CommissionerState Information Commission HaryanaSCO No. 70-71Sector 8C,Madhya Marg,Chandigarh Office: 0172-2726568 (Tele-Fax)Resi: [email protected]

Himachal Pradesh Shri P.S. Rana Room No.222,Armsdale BuildingHP SecretariatShimla-171 002 Office: 0177-2621904 2880726Resi : 0177-2812236 2652538

Karnataka Shri. K K Misra 3rd floor, 3rd Stage, Multistoried BuildingsDr.Ambedkar Road,Bangalore- 560 001.Ph.No.080-22371191 Off :+91-80 - 22371191Fax:+91-80 - 22371192 [email protected]

http://www.kic.gov.in

Kerala Shri. Palatt Mohandas The SecretaryKerala State Information CommissionPunnen RoadThiruvananthapuram - 695039Kerala, India Phone : 0471 - 2320920Fax : 0471 2330920

Off: +91-471 - 2333147

Madhya Pradesh Shri. T N Shrivastava Nirwachan Bhawan, Second Floor, 58, Arera HillsBhopal - 462 011 Off: +91-755 - 2761367Mobile:9425365434 http://www.mpsic.nic.in

Maharashtra Shri. Suresh Vinayakrao Joshi 15th Floor,New Administrative Building,Madame Cama Road,Opposite Mantralaya,Mumbai 400 0032 Res: +91- 22 - 22022859Off: +91-22 - 22856078Mobile: +91-98215 25427

Meghalaya Shri. G P Wahlang Meghalaya Secretariat,Shillong - 1Off: +91-64 - 2226102 [email protected]

Mizoram Shri. Robert Hrangdawla Off: 2334833Res:2316001Mobile:9436140247

Orissa Shri. Dhirendra Nath Padhi Orissa Soochna Commission, (Secretary), State Guest House Annexe, Room No. 44, Unit 5, Bhubaneshwar 751001Off: 91-674 - 2534300 [email protected]

http://orissasoochanacommission.nic.in

Punjab Shri. Rajan Kashyap 131 Sector-10Chandigarh - 160011 Off: +91-172-2740543Off Fax: +91-172-2740543Res Fax: +91-172-2740353 http://www.infocommpunjab.com

Tamil Nadu Shri. S Ramakrishnan No.89,Dr Alagappa Road, Purasaiwalkam Chennai 600084 http://www.tn.gov.in/rti/sic.htm

Tripura Shri. B K Chakraborty Civil Secretariat, AgartalaWest Tripura - 799001 Off: +91-381 -2218021 Mobile : +91-9436120039 [email protected]

Uttaranchal Shri. R S Tolia 4 Subhash Road, 4th FloorDehradun - 248001 Off: +91-135-2712100 2712200 2712079 Fax 2666779

Uttar Pradesh Justice Shri. Mohd Asgar Khan 6th Floor, Indira Bhawan, Ashok Marg Lucknow - 226001 Off : 0522-2288598, 0522-2235798, Telefax : 0522-2288600

WestBengal Mr.Arun BhattacharyaWriters Building,Kolkata - 700001 Off: +91-33 - 22215858

12. Bibliographyhttp://education.nic.in

http://www.ncte-in.org/pub.htm

http://www.ncte-in.org/nctepub.htm

http://www.niepaonline.org/research1.htm

http://www.niepaonline.org/publication2.htm

http://www.niepaonline.org/publication3.htm

http://www.nic.in/vseducation/ncert/curiindex.htm

http://www.nic.in/vseducation/ncert/cfdir2.htmhttp://www.indianngos.com/issue/miscissuee-l/literacyarticle.htm

Documents

RTI in Education