8.5% schools without electricity; 50% without benches, desks
Srinagar, Jul 15 (KNO): In Jammu and Kashmir at least 1900 government-run-schools lack basic amenities of separate girls toilets while 8.5 percent schools are without electricity.
Besides, at least 184 ‘Hanging Schools’ upgraded from time to time without creation of staff and are functioning through internal arrangement.
According to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Education Minister Sakina Itoo in a review meeting about the basic amenities such as functional girls toilets, drinking water and power supply was informed that “Still 1900 schools are without separate girls toilets and 8.5 percent schools are without electricity.”
The minister directed all the CEOs to ensure the availability of girls toilets within four months. “Besides, all the Hols shall be designated as estate officers of their schools with the responsibility of ensuring the availability of basic facilities and proper maintenance of the institutions. “
In the meeting, Itoo while reviewing the availability of school buildings and basic infrastructure, it was apprised that some schools do not have own school buildings and are functioning in rented buildings.
The minister in this regard directed the both the directors to furnish the proposals for construction of school buildings within available funds to ensure that all schools have their own buildings and sufficient class rooms.
“Besides this, both the directors shall share the list of building less schools and schools with deficient infrastructure with the Project Director, Samagra Shiksha, J&K for their projection in the PAB of Samagra Shiksha,” she said.
About the availability of desks, the minister was apprised that only 50 percent desks are available in the schools.
“Both the directors of Jammu and Kashmir divisions shall workout the deficiency with regard to availability of Desks for their respective divisions and shall formulate a District-wise proposal for providing of school desks of appropriate size. Besides, both the directors shall expedite the procurement of school desks for which funds are available with the CEOs so that students may not suffer any more,” the minister directed—(KNO)
