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Budget: Rewa Receives Higher Allocation, Niwari Faces Undervaluation MP Government Allocates ₹135 Crore for Class 5 & 8 Exam in 2024–25

Budget Allocation for Class 5 & 8 Exams: Disparities in Funding Across Districts
Tina Khatri
The Madhya Pradesh School Education Department has allocated a total of ₹135 crore for the printing of question papers for Class 5 and Class 8 annual examinations in the 2024–25 academic session. The funds are part of the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy–Teaching Learning Material (FLN-TLM) and Learning Enhancement Programme (LEP) initiatives, aimed at ensuring quality assessments for over 25 lakh students across 52 districts.
Budget Breakdown: Higher Allocations for Some Districts
While the overall budget adheres to standard per-student allocations—₹4 per student for Class 5 and ₹6 per student for Class 8—there are notable disparities in district-level funding, raising concerns about equity and efficiency. Rewa emerges as a key beneficiary, receiving a higher share of the total budget (6.32%) compared to its percentage of enrolled students (5.27%). This suggests a targeted policy approach to enhance learning outcomes in high-enrolment districts. On the flip side, Niwari, with only 1.35% of the state's students, has received just 0.37% of the total budget, highlighting a potential gap in funding.
Top Funded Districts
Rewa, Dhar, and Sagar lead the allocations with significant sums, due to their large student populations. These districts are set to receive ₹2.35 crore, ₹2.27 crore, and ₹2.08 crore, respectively. Other districts like Satna, Khargone, and Chhindwara also received considerable funding, ensuring proper resources for quality assessments in densely populated areas.
Smaller Districts Face Proportionate Underfunding
At the other end of the spectrum, smaller districts such as Niwari, Burhanpur, and Harda have received lower amounts. Niwari, for instance, has been allocated just ₹4.99 lakh, which is proportional to its smaller student base. While per-student rates are consistent, these smaller districts are seeing significantly lower funding, which could impact resource availability for assessments.
Focus on Class 8 Through LEP Funding
Several districts, including Bhopal, Rewa, and Satna, have prioritized Class 8 assessments by allocating a larger share of their total budget to the LEP scheme. Bhopal, in particular, has set aside nearly ₹2.08 crore—16.9% of its total budget—for Class 8 alone, underscoring the emphasis on improving upper-primary education.
Budget Summary
Total Budget – Class 5 ₹5.99 crore
Total Budget – Class 8 ₹7.50 crore
Grand Total ₹13.50 crore
Total Students (Each Class) 12,51,011
Avg. Cost per Student ₹4 (Class 5), ₹6 (Class 8)

District-wise Highlights
Top 5 Funded Districts
Rewa ₹2.35 crore
Dhar ₹2.27 crore
Sagar ₹2.08 crore
Satna ₹1.94 crore
Khargone ₹1.91 crore

Lowest 5 Funded Districts
Niwari ₹4.99 lakh
Burhanpur ₹5.77 lakh
Harda ₹6.14 lakh
Neemuch ₹7.36 lakh
Sheopur ₹7.50 lakh

Allocation Equity and Efficiency
An analysis of per-student spending highlights disparities in allocations:
District % of Students % of Budget Note
Rewa 5.27% 6.32% Over-allocated
Indore 3.96% 4.67% Balanced
Niwari 1.35% 0.37% Under-allocated
While most districts receive proportionate funding, areas like Niwari and Burhanpur may require a closer review to ensure equitable distribution, especially considering their lower average spending per student (₹14.79 and ₹21.05 respectively).
 
Administrative Guidelines
Class 5 and combined Class 5 & 8 expenses are to be recorded under the FLN-TLM head.
Class 8-exclusive expenses fall under the LEP head.
Districts must submit Utilization Certificates to the state and adhere strictly to the sanctioned limits.
Allocations are based on data entered on the examination portal and must not be reallocated or exceeded.
Key Insights
Equitable Structure: Standardized per-student rates maintain consistency statewide.
Data-Driven Focus: High-enrolment districts receive proportionate support, while investments in Class 8 signal efforts to enhance learning outcomes.
Scope for Review: Underfunded districts may need a re-evaluation to close potential equity gaps.
Monitoring Essential: High-budget districts must ensure efficient utilization for maximum learning impact.

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