SAIIER budget cuts

In a note to the community, the Auroville School Board shared that schools’ financial situation has become more difficult since July of 2024. Pre-Crѐche, Nandanam, Kindergarten, Deepanam, Transition School, Last School, and Future School all received reductions in their budgets from SAIIER / BCC, both in allocated maintenances, and in monthly recurring expenses. The cut originates from FAMC’s direction for higher effectiveness and efficiency; SAIIER was requested to work out the distribution. The School Board noted that while there may still be some changes, the new budget reflects a reduction of 19% on the allocated Maintenances (-22.5 full-time equivalent maintenances) and around 14% reduction of monthly recurring expenses (-Rs.93,683 across schools), fully effective from August onward. As schools are affected in different ways by these changes, the School Board requested the community to contact individual schools for more information. The School Board concluded by stating it remains committed to providing integral education to the children, and while the financial situation is challenging, they will “rise to the occasion and be creative about funding”. The Board further requested the understanding and support of the community and the parents as schools address this new situation.