Lidran government school in poor state

Ajay Joshi
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, January 29

Contrary to the tall claims made by the Education Minister of having spent Rs 1,000 crore on the development of government schools in the state this year, there are many schools in rural areas of the district that are seeking immediate attention of the government.

One such school is Government High School, Lidran.

Students and teaching staff are sitting inside classrooms with portions of ceiling having caved in and plaster on walls peeling off. Instead of being surrounded by greenery or a playground, the sewage-laced sludgy ground not only just reflect a poor picture of the school but has also badly affected its building.

While showing the walls of the classrooms and the school, principal of the school Davinder Kaur said: “It’s only last year that she had whitewashed the whole school. However, being surrounded in sewage water, the school looks as if it has not been maintained since decades. While seepage was a common problem during monsoons, the classrooms, library, labs, and the staffrooms remain dampened for the whole year. Besides, sewage-mixed water enters the school after every downpour when the level of the sewage pond surrounding the school building increases.

“Ceilings leak constantly when it rains. We also face power cuts. Sometimes, flies, insects and worms enter the classroom,” said a Class IX student. Ironically, in the smart classroom also, the students are made to sit on torn mats.

Government Primary School, Lidran, located near the High School, is no different. It has ill-maintained classrooms. Accumulated sewage water near it has badly affected the school building and foul smell always emanates from the filthy water.

No assistance from Edu Dept

Teachers and principals said even after complaining several times to the Education Department, no assistance had been provided. Rather, they were dependent on community help for the maintenance of the school. 

Moreover, during the incessant rain, teachers are dependent on nearby houses for conducting classes and examinations.