Sir,
This has reference to the news item’Majority of schools in pathetic condition, lack basic facilities’ (DE Jan31, 2018).While replying to the discussion on working of Education Department in the Upper House, the Minister for Education, Syed Mohammad Bukhari said that out of over 23400 schools in the State, 17167 have no boundary walls, 17112 no play grounds,17100 no electricity connection and 16912 without water supply/tap water.Besides, 60 percent had no toilet facilities whereas over 19000 require minor and 9512 major repairs and for 30 percent students of Government schools, there are no desks and they are made to sit on jute mats.At the same time,the Minister has appreciated the teachers for working tirelessly for streamlining the system, despite such odds and pleaded that they be discharged from all non teaching assignments, including election related duties.
There is no doubt that our students are the future custodians of our country and investment in education means investment in their future.So, in order to impart quality education, it is imperative that they be provided congenial atmosphere and basic facilities such as good infrastructural facilities and adequate staff in schools.With the launching of flagship programmes SSA and RMSA, many schools have been opened and upgraded to achieve universalisation of education. The Governmrnt also issues funds under RMSA and SSA to carry out minor repairs annd augment infrastructural activities. Moreover, the government has done much to provide facilities such as drinking water, laboratories, playgrounds, electricity, computer aided labs etc, but many schools have been left without these facilites.The result is that educational activities cannot be carried out properly sans these basic facilities.Thus, there is need to supplement the Government’s efforts to provide quality education to the students.It is at this juncture that the Corporate Houses and NGOs must come forward and adopt schools and donate liberally for providing such facilities to the schools.Similarly, the rich and the qualified alumini also owe a duty to their alma maters.They should help their alma maters both financially and educationally by delivering lectures, providing scholarships to the poor and meritorious students and providing infrastructural facilities to the schools.After all,help to the students to get the bliss of education is the greatest act of charity.
Yours etc….
Ashok Sharma,
Udhampur
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel