The poor condition of the Government primary schools has been a major problem for a quite some time, as acknowledged even by the Education department officials. A considerable number of Government primary schools in the district are in need of repair and reconstruction works. The Centre has approved repairs and reconstruction works for some of these schools though a written order is yet to be received by the district authorities.
According to official sources, in Dehradun district there are about 945 Government primary schools and 272 upper primary schools in total. Two proposals had been submitted to the Centre -one for repairing and other for reconstruction. In the first list, about 153 primary schools in the district need repairing which would cost about Rs 8 crore. The other proposal which was for reconstruction of the school buildings, was for 83 Government primary schools which are in a very poor condition. Talking to The Pioneer, District Primary Education Officer Hemlata Bhatt said, “We have already given the proposal and have received information from the State Education Department that of the schools listed for repairs, only five schools have been approved while of those listed for reconstruction 21 schools have been approved.”
When asked about the time taken for repairing and reconstruction of the building Bhatt said that it takes some time for both the activities to be done. It is most likely that the construction works will be done after the passing of the monsoon season, she added.
Proper sanitation facilities lacking in many schools
Apart from dire condition of Government primary school buildings, students also face problems due to absence of basic sanitation facilities like toilets. The district education authorities have also proposed construction and repair of toilets.
The department has proposed urgent toilet repairs in 49 schools and construction of 65 new toilets in various Government primary schools. A sum of about Rs 1.47 crore was sought from the Central Government for this purpose. According to official sources, these works have been approved only in a couple of schools in the district so far with the written approval yet to be received.