School clean-up op underway, teachers take charge

Schools in flood-affected villages of Punjab continue to face immense challenges, with education taking a hit as teachers work tirelessly to restore basic infrastructure.

Among the worst-affected are Government Primary School in Dhakka Basti, Lohian, Jalandhar and Government Primary School Baupur Jadid in Sultanpur Lodhi, Kapurthala district.

In Baupur Jadid, the school premises were left severely damaged by recent floods. Teachers have taken the initiative to clean the building themselves, visiting daily to ensure the safety of the site from hazards such as snakes and insects. As of now, classes have not resumed and the entire teaching staff is engaged in the clean-up process.

“Last year, we had to hold school in a gurdwara due to flooding. This time, we’re trying to restore the school premises quickly so that students can return to classrooms,” said one of the teachers involved.

In Dhakka Basti, although the school building is no longer waterlogged, the access route remains submerged. However, teachers have begun cleaning the school and are optimistic that within three to four days, the premises will be ready to welcome students back.

In the meantime, students from Dhakka Basti are attending classes at Government Primary School Mundi Kasu. “There are 41 students enrolled, but many, especially pre-primary and Class 1 students, are not attending as their families have relocated to safer areas,” a teacher explained.

The recurring floods have become a hurdle to education in rural areas, especially in low-lying regions. Despite these hardships, the commitment of teachers continues to keep the flame of learning alive for many children. As the region recovers, the focus remains on restoring normalcy and ensuring that no child’s education is left behind due to natural calamities.