Govt primary schools sans sweepers

Naina Mishra

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 20

It seems that the Capt Amarinder Singh-led government has turned a blind eye towards unavailability of sweepers in government primary schools.

After a video of students lifting garbage in Government Primary School, Baba Shri Chand Colony, went viral, the Punjab State Commission for Protection of Child Rightson February 8 shot a letter asking District Education Officer to write to the district development and panchayat officer to provide sweepers.

However, even after two months primary schools have still been grappling with dearth of sweepers.

Charanjit Kaur, Principal of Government Primary School, Sri Chand Colony said, “We had requested area councillor to provide sweepers but to no avail. We have employeed a private sweeper and pay him from own pockets.”

Sukhwinder Singh, Principal of Government Primary School, New Subhash Nagar said, “Nothing has been done till date as per the orders of the commission. The letter asked the municipal corporation to provide sweepers to perform duties in schools as well.”

Dimple Madan, Deputy DEO said, “The Education Department did allow schools to take help from the corporation. However, the MC might not have sufficient sweepers. There are no sanctioned posts of sweeper in primary schools.”

Meanwhile, Vipul Malhotara, health officer MC said, “We have not received any orders as such till date.”