Parliament Question: Shortage of Classrooms and Infrastructural Constraints in Schools in Lakshadweep

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION AND LITERACY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3892 ANSWERED ON 16.03.2026 Shortage of Classrooms and Infrastructural Constraints in Schools in Lakshadweep 3892. Shri Muhammed Hamdullah Sayeed: Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware of the shortage of classrooms and infrastructural constraints in SB School, Kiltan and SB School, Bitra under the Lakshadweep Administration, if so, the details thereof; (b) whether the Union Government is aware that the Lakshadweep Administration has prepared any action plan or proposal for the construction of additional classrooms and allied facilities in the said schools and if so, the details thereof; (c) the number of additional classrooms proposed to be constructed in SB School, Kiltan and SB School, Bitra along with the estimated cost and timeline for completion of the project; and (d) whether necessary financial sanction has been accorded for the said works and if so, the details of funds allocated and released so far? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (SHRI JAYANT CHOUDHARY) (a) to (d): As reported by the UT of Lakshadweep, in case of Government Senior Basic School Bitra, the classes from Pre-school to Class 8 are functioning in two buildings. The Pre-School 1, 2, Balvatika and Classes 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are functioning in the new Police Station building (Government building). Classes 2, 7 and 8, alongwith other rooms including the kitchen, store, and dining hall, are functioning in the Government Senior Basic School building. In case of Kiltan island there is only one Government Senior Secondary School and one Government Junior Basic School and there is no Government Senior Basic School. The subject Education is in the Concurrent List of the Constitution and majority of the schools are under the administrative jurisdiction of concerned States/UTs. However, Central Government provides financial assistance to States/UTs including UT of Lakshadweep under the Centrally Sponsored scheme of Samagra Shiksha, for strengthening of existing government schools for creation and augmentation of infrastructure facilities based on Annual Work Plan & Budget (AWP&B) proposal prepared by them and gaps determined from Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) database. These plans are thenappraised and approved by the Project Approval Board (PAB) in the Department of School Education and Literacy in consultation with the State/UT as per the programmatic and financial norms of the scheme, physical and financial progress of works sanctioned earlier and availability of budgetary resources. *****