Performance Incentive Grants announced for government schools in Nagaland

Dimapur, June 18 (EMN): In what could bring about a positive impact on the learning outcome, the Nagaland Education Project – The Lighthouse has announced ‘Performance Incentive Grants (PIG)’ under Nagaland Enhancing Classroom Teaching and Resources (NECTAR) programme, to all the government schools in the state, in order to strengthen community involvement in education reform.

An update from Thavaseelan K, Project Director of Nagaland Education Project – The Lighthouse (NECTAR), informed that the School Management Committees (SMCs) and School Management and Development Committees (SMDCs) of all 1953 government schools in the state can avail the grant as part of governance and capacity building component of the project which is funded by the World Bank.

While informing that the grants will be made available to all the government schools in the state in three batches over a two year period, the update said building capacity, enhancing participation and promoting commitment of the SMCs and SMDCs was needed as its involvement in the school system was found to be hindered by lack of information and capacity among the committees.

738 schools approved for grants

Out of 1741 applications (schools), a total of 743 have been shortlisted to avail the grants in the first batch based on specific set of criteria after thorough screening of the applications. Orientation and capacity building programme for the SMCs and SMDCs of the shortlisted schools covering all the districts were conducted in the district headquarters from May 16 to the 24^th this year, it was informed.

It went on to inform that ‘Performance Incentive Grants’ proposals for 738 schools have been approved and the funds will be disbursed directly to the SMC and SMDC accounts by the last week of June 2022 post signing of the MoUs and that the work implementation period is from July 1 to November 15 this year.

The shortlisted schools for the first batch can contact the District Project Assistants (NECTAR) or EBRC co-ordinators (SAMAGRA) for signing of the MoU by June 24, it was informed.

Committees to formulate action plan

The SMCs and SMDCs have been given the liberty to formulate their own need-based proposals (action plan) considering the varying needs of every school and “encouraged to focus on improving and augmenting the school learning environment and undertake urgent repair and renovations” but discouraged from taking up major infrastructural works.

“The committees are also encouraged to come up with innovative activities and ways to revive indigenous practices through story telling sessions, hands-on sessions in handicraft, weaving, gardening, farming, etc.” it stated.

The update went on to inform that activities like monthly SMC/SMDC meetings, half yearly parent-teacher meetings, and outreach to dropouts and vulnerable groups have been made mandatory as part of community engagement.

Accountability monitoring mechanism

To ensure accountability, a robust monitoring mechanism has been put in place, wherein the committees are required to maintain all records pertaining to its activities in a “Monitoring and Reporting booklet”. “Activity records have to be validated with date and time stamped pictures of ‘Before’ and ‘After’ intervention period and has been made mandatory for all categories of repair and civil works,” it said.

“All procurements should be validated by bills and vouchers in original. Surprise monitoring visits will be undertaken by Education Officials and Project Officials as well as the Area Administrative Officers to further provide any course correction steps if required,” it added.

For accountability and judicious use of funds, the Area Administrative Officers have been assigned to conduct an on-site assessment of all the activities and works undertaken after the end of each instalment, it said, adding that a “Completion Certificate” will be issued if works are found satisfactory, failing which the committees will not be eligible for the subsequent installments

“In the event of any misuse of funds, the SMCs/SMDCs may be blacklisted and furthermore excluded from availing future grants from the Project/Department,” It added.

Performance Incentive Grants amount and installment