The grant, which is usually renewed every year, will henceforth depend on how many points the school scores of a maximum 100 marks that can be awarded. The practice, thus far applicable to secondary schools only, is proposed to be made compulsory for primary sections from the academic year commencing June 1999-2000.

The quantum of financial aid disbursed to an institution, including non-salary grants, depends on expenditure in the previous year. As per the state government's rules, a new school is not eligible for any grant in the first three years. In the fourth year, the total grant amounts to 25 per cent of the earlieryear's expenditure, in the fifth year it is 50 per cent, sixth year 75 per cent and from the seventh year 100 per cent.

The new plan to evaluate primary schools, however, is still in the formative stage and is awaiting suggestions from the Directorate of Education, Pune. An expert committee will also be appointed to draw up a `report card' and determine its criteria including the minimum qualifying marks. The committee will include representatives of school managements of aided schools to make the plan as comprehensive and workable as possible.

The plan aims to make the provisions of the Bombay Primary Education Rules, 1949, and various government resolutions on primary education enforceable as these have been largely ignored by most schools. Following are some of the tenets on which the evaluation sheet will be based.

1) Teachers' qualifications: A minimum Secondary School Certificate or Higher Secondary School Certificate degree with a Diploma in Education.

2) Classroom size: A minimum20 x 20 sq ft and a verandah of 6 x 20 sq ft. Schools with verandahs will score an advantage as such open spaces facilitate free movement of students.

3) Pass percentage: A minimum 25 per cent for Stds III and IV (Stds I and II are exempted from conducting examinations). The pass percentage will be verified by education officers appointed by the government.

4) Hygiene: Separate sanitary blocks for male and female students and availability of hygienic drinking water.

5) Infrastructure: Certain basic things like benches, blackboards and lighting arrangements. Teaching aids like globes and maps as well as pictures hung on the classroom walls to illustrate the contents of lessons.