Bhubaneswar: The BJP Government has issued modalities for implementation of the “Panchasakha Shikhya Setu” (PSS) scheme in the State, replacing the Mo School Abhiyan of previous BJD Government.
The scheme aims for revamping school education by promoting volunteerism and collaboration through an innovative citizen-government partnership.
The Panchasakha Shikhya Setu will facilitate alumni and others to rebuild schools, enhance the quality of education, and promote community engagement and futuristic education in the State, as per a notification issued by the School and Mass Education Department.
The programme will aim to prepare the future generation to evolve into dreamers, doers, makers, growers, explorers, experimenters, and entrepreneurs.
For the implementation of the PSS Scheme the existing registered body – Mo School Abhiyan Parichalana Sangathan (MSAPS) will be renamed as Panchasakha Shikhya Setu Sangathan and will serve as the implementing body.
The required changes to its bye laws will be undertaken by the Society accordingly. The assets, liabilities, personnel and funds of the existing society will be transferred to the new entity -Panchasakha Shikhya Setu Sangathan.
The Society will be headed by the Chief Secretary, who shall be the ex-officio Chairperson of the organization and provide leadership, guidance and overall direction to the programme.
The Society will have an Executive Body(EB) for running the everyday affairs of the programme supported by a Governing Body and a Board of Advisers, both of which will comprise, among others, thought leaders, eminent educationists, social scientists, and notable people from the fields of art, architecture, design, advertising, film-making, literature, science and sports.
Further, each District will have a District Level Committee, headed by the District Collector.
As per the modalities, funds for the implementation of the programme shall come primarily from two sources- contributions from donors and twice the amount of each such contribution to be provided by the State Government subject to maximum contribution of Rs 50 lakh from Government as a matching grant.
Budget provisions for the annual Matching Grant from the State Government will be made accordingly.
The society can also receive grants from the Government, PSUs and CSR bodies for the implementation of programmes and personnel.
Apart from this, it will also establish stakeholder involvement including Government, local women SHGs, institutions, Corporate Bodies, PSUs to implement the programme.
To ensure the safety & security, cleanliness, maintenance and sustainability of high school facilities taken under the High School Transformation initiative, the society shall ensure engagement of personnel for housekeeping and watch & ward purposes following Government guidelines.
Donors to Panchasakha Shikhya Setu may include, but not be limited to, individuals, groups of persons, or institutions. Donors may make contributions in terms of money, materials and/or services. In the case of materials and services, there shall be no matching contribution.
Donors will contribute to a general pool from which funds will be utilized for the Panchasakha Shikhya Setu at the discretion of the Society according to its bye-laws.
However, provisions will be made for donors who wish to indicate their preferences for the use of their contributions.
In cases where a donor seeks to contribute more than Rs20 lakh in a single tranche, the EB will determine the modalities of transfer and use of funds in consultation with the donor and the DLC.