Two years on,scheme to upgrade rural schools in Punjab far from completion

With the deadline approaching,the much-hyped Rs 142-crore educational scheme of the Punjab government for upgrade and modernising rural schools is nowhere near completion.

Around 351 secondary schools in rural areas across state were to be upgraded with funds from National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). The scheme was launched in December 2007 by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal but construction in majority of the schools has not even reached the half-way mark.

Under the scheme,three schools each from the 117 Assembly constituencies were to be upgraded with state-of-the-art infrastructure,additional classrooms,laboratories etc. Other infrastructure to be provided includes teachers tables,desks for students,facility for toilets and a boundary wall.

The PWD department in Jalandhar and Kapurthala districts said the delay in construction has increased the cost too and even though NABARD is providing funds,it will not be sufficient. Punjab Education Minister Bibi Upinderjit Kaur,said the work is in progress but she was not aware about the exact status of the project. Circle Education Officer and District Education Officer,Jalandhar,Joginder Das,said all 30 schools in Jalandhar are being upgraded and a lot of work is still pending.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram