Giving smart schools a run for their money

Parveen Arora

Tribune News Service

Karnal, January 19

In a bid to set up a student-friendly environment, the panchayat of Haibatpur village in Karnal has put in special efforts at its government primary school to give it a totally different picture.

Smart classroom, computer education, library, brightly painted classroom and green park with swings are the result of efforts of the sarpanch, panches and residents of the village, who have been contributing their lot in shaping the school at a par with private schools.

The panchayat has also set up a mini-compost plant for organic manure and installed water-recharging system for water conservation. The facility of filtered water is also available for students.

The school has recorded an increase in the number of students from 30 in the last academic session to 45 at present.

It has also secured the first prize in block-level Mukhyamantri School Sondriyakaran Yojana and is now in the race for the district-level prize.

The panchayat members have planned to install a solar system atop the school building for providing uninterrupted electricity supply.

“After becoming the sarpanch, I observed lack of facilities and poor condition of school building. I decided to improve the condition of this school so that children could get a better atmosphere,” said Rajpal, sarpanch of Haibatpur village.

“I have spent around Rs 2.5 lakh for several facilities and around Rs 8 lakh has been spent by the panchayat for beautification and providing various facilities on the school premises,” he said.

“I am also getting support from residents, who are also taking care of the school and its students. We want an improvement in the education standard of our village so we have been giving our best,” he said.

“I joined the school as headmaster in September 2016, but facilities were lacking. The number of students was less then. But now, the school has a new face, attracting residents, other panchayats and officials of the district administration, who have already paid a visit to the school,” said Pankaj Vats, school headmaster.

All students had been provided identity cards, he said. “We have proposed an open gymnasium in the school so that budding sportspersons and residents can avail themselves of the facility before and after school timings,” said the sarpanch. ADC Nishant Yadav appreciated efforts of the panchayat in giving beautiful shape to the school.