120 schools in Rajouri in dire need of repairs
Shyam Sood
Rajouri, August 8
Despite several steps by the authorities to increase enrolment in government schools, parents prefer to send their children in private institutions as the school buildings at more than 120 places are in bad condition in Rajouri district.
Recently, Education Minister chaired a meeting with the District Development Board where Rajouri Chief Education Officer Ch Altaf Husain had presented several measures taken by the department, including improvement in the academic standard, repair work and face-lifting of the schools, improvement in infrastructure and many others like proposal of Happy School (in collaboration with Rotary International). But no improvement was witnessed on ground and still many school buildings are in dilapidated condition and without requisite staff.
In many schools, the rooms are in such a bad condition that the school administration have abandoned them and people use these as cattle sheds after school hours.
On August 1, when MLC Vibodh Gupta visited Government Higher Secondary School at Chingus, about 100 metres from the Jammu-Poonch highway, the school principal informed him that many rooms were in bad condition and a mishap could take place any time.
Few years ago, a detailed project report (DPR) for Rs 53 lakh was prepared by the Education Department for the construction of new building but reportedly it was still lying in the office of the CEO.
“It is astonishing that the DPR has not been implemented so far by the officials concerned. Not only that, Rs 7.5 lakh was also sanctioned for the renovation of the existing building but the authorities have failed to utilise even this amount,” said Vibodh Gupta.
Government Middle school at Barwari in Moughla education zone in Kalakot tehsil has six rooms. But inhabitants of the area have alleged that the entire building is a disaster waiting to happen.
“Out of six rooms, four have been abandoned due to their conditions and one is used for office work. For more than 100 students, only one room is left,” said Mohd Mushtaq Ahmed.
Detailed report about the repair or renovation of schools under Moughla education zone has already been submitted in the office of the CEO, said Chaman Lal, Zonal Education Officer .
“Institution heads have been asked for the face-lifting of the schools from funds under the Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan and Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan. A total of Rs 196 lakh have been approved for major-minor repairs of 120 schools,” said CEO Altaf Hussain.
