In a bid to make Uttar Pradesh government schools financially self-reliant, the government has rolled out a proposal to enable them to offer campuses on rent for private events.

Henceforth, all secondary schools affiliated to UP Board will be able to offer their premises to third parties for conducting events like weddings, cultural activities, sports functions, exhibitions, and so on, on vacant school land during school holidays. Nursery classes, along with vocational trainings, with third parties could be held past school hours in extra classrooms, too. Construction of a commercial gym and a swimming pool on the premises are also in talks.

Besides the above changes, the draft policy also suggests the setting up of a committee at the district level, directly under the DM, to consider the proposals received and give permission. As per the guidelines set, the approval will be granted on the condition that any such event taking place on the school campus does not disrupt the flow of classes or disturb the regular functioning of the school in any way. Also, it should not require any sort of a permanent or semi-permanent construction on the premises.

Transparency will be ensured in the sense that schools will get earning accounts audited by a professional chartered accountant, provide the details to the assigned committee for scrutiny, and upload the same on their official websites.

With this proposal being passed, UP secondary schools would be thereon capable of generating funds through their own resources and utilise the money for upkeep.

The Directorate of Education, UP government, is also inviting suggestions from general public to elevate these school funds at schoolincomesuggestion@gmail.com. Anyone can send suggestions before January 27.