Lahaul Spiti villagers seek new building for upgraded school

Was upgraded to senior secondary 9 years ago

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We are demanding the construction of a new school building to facilitate students. The state government has approved Rs 80 lakh for the construction of the school building and hopefully, the construction work will begin soon.

Sukh Ram, vice-pradhan of Shakoli gram panchayat

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, November 18

Residents of Shakoli panchayat in tribal Lahaul Spiti district are demanding the construction of a new building for upgraded Government Senior Secondary School in their locality.

The villagers said that the state government upgraded the middle school to senior secondary nine years ago to facilitate students of nearby eight villages but failed to develop adequate infrastructure. At present, around 82 students from Mooring, Neban, Badrang, Shakoli, Timal, Khilaun, Cheli and Mashati Mujam villages are studying in the school that has poor infrastructure.

Madan Lal, a local villager, said that students of Class VI to XII study in the old school building, which is in a poor condition. It was a matter of concern that though the government upgraded the school nine years ago, it could not provide even basic infrastructure till today.

The Shakoli gram panchayat had submitted a memorandum to the government requesting it for funds for the construction of a new school building.

Sukh Ram, vice-pradhan of the gram panchayat, said, “We are demanding the construction of a new school building to facilitate students. The state government has approved Rs 80 lakh for the construction of the school building and hopefully, the construction work will begin soon”.

“The major problem is a lack of adequate land for the construction of the school building and the authorities are trying to find a piece of land for the purpose. The Education Department has deposited the approved amount with the Public Works Department, which will start the construction of the school building next summer,” he added.