Upgraded 9 yrs ago, new building sought for school in Lahaul

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, November 26

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.

Villagers said the state government upgraded the middle school to the senior secondary level 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 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 the government upgraded the school nine years ago but 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 government has approved Rs80 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,” he added.