This was declared by Chairman Manubhai Raval on Monday while presenting the Board’s budget for the year 2009-2010.

He claimed that the Board brought down the dropout rate from 7.6 per cent last year to 6.85 per cent in the current year and aims to achieve zero dropout rate by 2010. The facts, however, are contradictory, said opposition members. They said that according to the official records, the students’ strength has gone down from 1,62,888 to 1,58,548 (which is less by 4,340).

“We have added Rs 12.61 crore to the budget of Rs 274.20 crore presented by the Administrative Officer. Now the budget is Rs 286.81 crore,” said Raval.

He said that special emphasis will be given to student admission campaign, for which Rs 1.51 crore has been earmarked, and computer education (Rs 5 crore) as well as repair of school buildings, maintenance and sanitation (Rs 2.50 crore) of the buildings.

Raval said special attention will be given to science laboratory equipment (Rs 60 lakh) and windows and doors (Rs 2.50 crore).

“Ironically, the Board had enhanced last year’s budget by Rs 10 crore but only Rs 10 lakh was spent throughout the year,” said Opposition members of the Board, blaming it on the unwillingness and indifference on part of the ruling party to implement the suggested plans.

A board official said on condition of anonymity that the chairman is not willing to work with the consent of his colleagues and officials and this results in an “administrative chaos” where no one knows what was happening.

Replying to such allegations, the Chairman said: “Things were in progress and all the projects in the pipeline will be completed by this year”.