Flood-ravaged schools in Punjab battle back to normalcy

Schools in Sultanpur Lodhi (Kapurthala) and Dhakka Basti (Shahkot), which were severely affected by floods in August, are gradually returning to normal operations after months of disruption. Prolonged waterlogging had forced students to rely on online classes, significantly impacting their education.

Government Primary School Dhakka Basti, Government Primary School Baupur Jadid and Government High School Baupur were among the worst hit. Although students have resumed in-person classes, several challenges continue to persist.

In Dhakka Basti, NGOs stepped in to support recovery efforts, assisting with painting and repair work. Electricity issues—which had delayed restoration work—have now been resolved. “We faced problems, but the power has finally been restored,” said teacher Sarabjit Singh. On being asked about the condition of the school building, he added, “Saade school di building tin hadd seh chuki hai, halle takk theek hai” (Our school has survived three floods and is still holding up).

Students are gradually settling back into their routines and enjoying classroom learning after months of virtual classes. In Baupur Jadid too, schools are returning to normal, but issues remain, particularly damaged toilets. Teachers, however, are working to restore a proper learning environment as quickly as possible.

In both villages, school premises had been left severely damaged by the floods. With limited resources available, teachers took the lead in cleaning the buildings, visiting daily and ensuring safety from hazards such as snakes and insects. The entire teaching staff participated in the clean-up drive, demonstrating remarkable commitment to restoring normalcy for their students. As the flood-hit schools slowly rebuild, the return of students to classrooms marks a significant step toward recovery, even as they continue to navigate ongoing challenges.