Out in the cold

Haryana is one of the richest states of India, boasting of the highest per capita income. But the dilapidated state of many of its government schools in rural areas reflects a story of misplaced priorities. Investment in young children, especially in their education, is the only capital that can assure returns for a state in the form of a productive human resource. And, to impart quality education, along with excellent teachers, proper infrastructure plays a significant role. School buildings and classrooms have to be in good condition for best results. Any laxity in this regard is sure to adversely impact the learning outcomes of the students and, thus, necessitates prompt action.

The Tribune has been highlighting the sorry plight of children eager to study, with the hope of going on to fare better in life. The matter is grave as the pupils spread across Bhiwani, Hisar, Mahendragarh and Jhajjar districts are affected. It is criminal to let the poor kids of a Mahendragarh primary school brave the cold in this extreme winter as they are forced to squat on the floor because the classrooms have no desks and benches. And, classes are being held in the open since 2017 in Bhiwani’s Gokulpura village because the decrepit school building was unsafe and razed. 

Sadly, things are worse — children’s lives are being put to risk in unsafe school buildings due to inordinate delays in official approval for their demolition. This is the inexcusably perilous condition of many school edifices in Jhajjar villages. Unless the reserve price for the auction of demolishing school structures declared unsafe months ago is fixed, the local education authority is unable to demand budget for the construction of a new building. It is here that negligence and insensitivity on the part of Public Works Department (B&R) comes to fore. Are the authorities waiting for an accident? The scary situation also brings into focus once again the sharp socio-economic gap between the umpteen facilities and opportunities offered to the rich urban pupils as compared to their poor rural cousins. This despite Haryana’s rural youth repeatedly winning the state laurels in various national and international events.