No building of its own, Mandi Ahmedgarh govt primary school runs from temple complex

Despite tall claims having been made by the Aam Aadmi Party-led state government during the launch of the Punjab Sikhya Kranti campaign recently, Government Primary School in Mandi Ahmedgarh is yet to get its own building. The school is being run from a building provided by the Vishawkarma Mandir Committee as a gesture of goodwill.

The school has only three teachers to handle eight classes, including the pre-primary wings that were added according to the government’s new policy. However, the teachers posted at the school said the staff was complete according to the prescribed student teacher ratio. “All the three sanctioned posts of teachers are filled, which is sufficient,” said Sanju Bala, the school’s incharge.

All the students are provided food prepared by the cooks employed under the Mid-day Meal Scheme, an attraction for students coming from poor families.

Although grants are received under various heads from time to time the teachers are waiting for funds to purchase an inverter and get a water cooler, which was installed here by a philanthropist long ago, repaired.

The staff members expressed their appreciation for the temple committee for not demanding any rent or power bill payments from them.

Gurmeet Singh Ubhi, an office-bearer of the Vishwakarma Mandir Committee, said the organisation had decided to share the responsibility of providing accommodation and other facilities required for the welfare and comfort of students.

Until a few years ago, the school was run by the Zila Parishad but now it is under the control of the Education Department.

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