"Infrastructure deficits in government schools reflect failures of maintenance and accountability more than of finance." Critically examine.

The RTE Act, 2009 lays down minimum infrastructure norms for schools. Even so, many government schools still have leaking roofs, toilets that do not work and broken handpumps. Audit evidence suggests the problem lies mostly in upkeep and oversight, but finance still matters.

Failures of maintenance and accountability (supporting the statement)

• Facilities built but not kept usable: In a physical check in Arunachal Pradesh, the CAG found 47 of 54 inspected school toilets defunct [4]. In Karnataka, toilets in 52 of 163 test-checked schools lacked maintenance [3].
• Data that hides decay: UDISE+ 2021-22 shows 95.5% of government schools with boys' toilets and 97.4% with girls' toilets [2]. These figures record whether a toilet exists, not whether it works. The CAG also found that UDISE data was not validated at appropriate levels [1].
• A funding signal that works against repair: The Centre sanctions toilets and drinking water based on gaps shown in UDISE [8]. A broken toilet that is still reported as present therefore shows no gap and gets no money.
• Assets left unused: The CAG audit of Samagra Shiksha in West Bengal flagged unused infrastructure and poor maintenance [5].

Where finance still matters (limits of the statement)

• A small maintenance grant: The Samagra Shiksha composite school grant is ₹25,000 to ₹1 lakh a year, depending on enrolment, and at least 10% of it is reserved for Swachhata (cleanliness) work [6]. Small rural schools get the least money, although repairs cost them just as much. The CAG linked Karnataka's maintenance lapses to too little school-level funding [3].
• Facilities never built: Only 32% of government schools have toilets suitable for children with disabilities, and digital infrastructure is lacking (UDISE 2024-25) [7]. In West Bengal, 72% of schools had no toilets suitable for children with special needs and 15% had no ramps [5]. Gaps like these need new capital spending.

Way forward

• Independent, joint physical checks of UDISE data, recording whether each facility works [1][4].
• A protected maintenance grant with a minimum amount for small schools [6].
• Regular social audits of school facilities, led by School Management Committees.

Overall, the statement is largely valid: most deficits come from neglected upkeep and unchecked data, while gaps in inclusive and digital infrastructure still need more money. More money without upkeep would repeat Arunachal's defunct toilets. Accountability without enough funding would achieve little. Reliable data on whether facilities work, combined with an assured maintenance grant, can deliver on Article 21A and SDG 4 in every classroom.