Lead story:Rs 3.5cr Smart School has no teachers

With the new academic session set to begin in April, the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Smart School, near Maqsudan Bypass, remains non-operational due to alleged government inaction. Even as the school built on 1-acre land with modern facilities is complete in most respects, it is yet to receive approvals or classroom infrastructure to begin functioning.

As per information, the proposal to construct the state-of-the-art school at a cost of Rs 3.5 crore was approved during the Congress rule and the work began in September 2021. Three years later, the school stands ready with 15 classrooms, a computer lab, an auditorium and a spacious kitchen for mid-day meals. However, it seems that starting classes in the school is not on the priority of the district administration or the state government, leaving its future uncertain.

Sources indicate that unless the government initiates the allocation of teachers and necessary classroom infrastructure by the month end, the school may not start functioning from the coming academic year.

Sources said the Education Department was yet to decide whether the school will function as an all-boys or all-girls or a co-educational institution, although initial plans suggest it will cater to students from Classes VI to XII. However, there is no official confirmation in this regard so far.

Situated near Maqsudan Bypass, it is the first school in the city, which is directly connected to the National Highway. Thus, the school has the potential to benefit families living in the vicinity, especially those from economically weaker sections. However, its continued closure has raised concerns among locals and education activists.

Pankaj Mehta, Chairman of Fly Udaan Zindagi Ki Trust, has urged authorities to act swiftly. Submitting a memorandum to the Jalandhar Deputy Commissioner recently, he stated, “The school will not only cater to the colony, but also nearby areas. It will particularly benefit students from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families and economically weaker sections. We urge the government to inaugurate the school before the start of the new academic session in April.”

District Education Officer (DEO) for Secondary Education, Gurinderjit Kaur, said a letter had been sent to the higher authorities in this regard. “Since the construction of the school is complete, we are hopeful that action will be taken to ensure that the academic session starts here this year,” she said.