LUCKNOW, Sept. 9 -- Chief secretary S.P. Goyal on Tuesday directed officials to encourage parents to use funds transferred through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for school uniforms and ensure that students attend school in the prescribed dress. At a meeting of the Samagra Shiksha executive committee, Goyal reviewed measures to improve education quality, resource utilisation and students' overall development. He directed officials to regularly monitor the use of smart classrooms and ICT labs and ensure greater participation in sports. He also stressed effective utilisation of school equipment and 100% use of the Rs.11,902.85-crore Samagra Shiksha budget approved for 2026-27. The committee approved a 25% hike in the honorarium of personnel engaged through service providers at state and district project offices. Their honorarium had remained unchanged since 2020. Officials said Rs.9,425.21 crore, or 92.46% of available funds, was utilised in 2025-26, compared with 69.60% in 2024-25.htc...