Atishi orders action against school principal over poor infrastructure

Tribune News Service

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New Delhi, August 12

Education Minister Atishi on Monday ordered disciplinary action against the principal of Sarvodaya Vidyalaya, J and K Block, after students were found sitting on the floor due to lack of proper desks at the school.

However, during a surprise inspection, it was found that students were forced to sit on the floor despite the availability of desks, leading to the immediate action by the Education Minister.

The incident has sparked a city-wide crackdown on inadequate school facilities, with Atishi instructing all Deputy Directorates of Education (DDEs) at the district level to conduct weekly inspections of at least five schools within their jurisdiction.

The minister has mandated that DDEs pay special attention to essential facilities such as the availability of drinking water, functional toilets, proper lighting, cleanliness, adequate and good-quality desks, school infrastructure, including doors, windows, boundary walls, and room ceilings, as well as the overall safety and security of children. The student-to-classroom ratio is also under scrutiny to ensure that classrooms are not overcrowded.

Atishi said any issues found during these inspections should be addressed immediately and measures must be put in place to prevent such situations from recurring.

She warned that if any school is found to be neglecting its responsibilities, especially if students are made to sit on the floor despite having sufficient desks, strict action would be taken against those responsible.

“Providing better facilities and education to the children studying in Delhi Government schools has always been our priority,” Atishi said. Negligence in this regard would not be tolerate, she added.

‘Won’t tolerate negligence’

Providing better facilities and education to the children studying in Delhi Government schools has always been our priority. — Atishi, Education Minister