New Delhi: A recent study by the PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PHDCCI) has revealed that the spending on education by various state governments has been declining over the last 12 years.

The state governments' expenditure on education has dropped to around 18 percent of the total expenditure in 2007-08 from 20 percent in 1995-96.

The inter-state differences in the per capita education spending are also widening. The per-capita fund flow to education in 2005-06 was Rs.483 in Uttar Pradesh, Rs.487 in Bihar, Rs.1,034 in Maharashtra and Kerala and Rs.1,777 in Himachal Pradesh.

"The educational infrastructure at the primary and secondary level is deteriorating due to a decline in the flow of funds to the education sector. There is an acute shortage of Government schools along with trained and motivate teachers, especially in the rural areas. This forces the Indian households to spend more on private education", the study said.

Even states with a high-growth rate, including Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, have witnessed a moderate to steep fall in the expenditure on education.

The study also suggested that the state governments need to spend more for maintenance of the existing infrastructural facilities.