AP Govt enhances budget for playgrounds

Visakhapatnam: The state government has increased the budget for the development of the playgrounds in schools across the state from Rs 5 lakhs to Rs 10 lakhs to mould more sports personnel right from school days. Already, with the budget of Rs 5 lakh, the department of school education has started the development of playgrounds at 164 playgrounds in schools.

However, the district administration has asked the government to increase the budget for development of the playgrounds ensuring 200 metres track, volleyball, kabaddi and kho-kho courts.

With the request, the government has sanctioned the funds and directed the administration to complete the works immediately. Additional Joint Collector Dr A Siri, directed the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan officials, head masters and mandal development officers to complete the works by October 15. Meanwhile, according to the government directive, the administration has taken up the development of playgrounds to provide sports infrastructure to the youth across the district. Under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, proposals were submitted to develop 121 playgrounds in the district and 113 proposals approved.

According to Collector Pravin Kumar, works for 67 playgrounds were completed and rest of the playgrounds are at various stages. Meanwhile, the government is planning to change the syllabus at school education from the next academic year giving more importance to the sports and games activity at the school. According to the officials, the government is chalking out plans to increase the sports and games hours on par with the regular education classes.