No boundary wall in 127 govt schools of Srinagar

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, December 10

In all, 127 government schools in the city are without fencing and boundary wall, raising a question on the seriousness of the authorities to develop the basic infrastructure in these educational institutions.

According to the official figures, there are thousands of city schools lacking electricity and proper drinking water facilities.

The official records revealed that 58 per cent of the schools in the summer capital had no electricity. Last month, the students were forced to appear for board exams under candlelight, which brought embarrassment to the department when the pictures went viral on social media.

The locals said the government schools were lacking facilities because mostly poor students were studying there, who are being ignored by the authorities.

“The government is not paying attention towards the problems of these schools as the children of top officials and bureaucrats are not studying here. The lack of facilities is forcing the children to drop out of these schools,” said Muhammad Sadiq, a resident of Bohri Kadal.

He said children were unsafe in the absence of boundary walls and fences in the schools.

The government in Kashmir has often come under criticism for the lack of basic facilities in schools.

“We have received more funds this year and all schools will be getting the required facilities during this academic session,” said GN Itoo, Director, School Education, Kashmir.