School of Eminence at Kidwai Nagar yet to see light of day

The AAP government had announced the establishment of a School of Eminence (SoE) in Kidwai Nagar, Ludhiana, with the promise of providing top-class infrastructure and learning environment to students clearing its entrance exam. However, more than three years later, the project remains incomplete.

Though the building is almost ready, several finishing works are still pending. An estimated Rs 2 crore is required to make the school functional. Sources revealed that due to a lack of clarity on fund allocation, the project’s fate continues to hang in the balance, leaving students and parents waiting each year for admissions to begin.

District Education Officer (DEO) Dimple Madan told The Tribune that the Ludhiana Improvement Trust had already spent around rs 8–9 crore on construction. “The file has been sent to the higher authorities for arranging more funds. Once cleared, the remaining work will be completed,” Madan said.

However, such assurances have been made in the past as well. Deadlines have repeatedly been missed since the time Surbhi Malik was the Deputy Commissioner. Three DCs later, the situation remains unchanged.

A teacher from Islamiya School, originally identified for shifting SOE students due to its dilapidated structure, said: “Renovation at Islamiya School was completed over two years ago and students were shifted back from the primary wing where they had been adjusted temporarily. But the Kidwai Nagar SOE building has not been completed yet. Parents and students frequently enquire about admissions, but we have no answers.”

Meanwhile, Sanjay Talwar, District Congress Committee (DCC) president, blamed the AAP government for stalling the project. “The land for the school was allotted during the Congress regime, and construction had begun. But after AAP came to power, work slowed down and remains unfinished. Their tall claims about Schools of Eminence have fallen flat,” he remarked.