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Despite health risks, school grounds remain overrun with wild growth
Even as playgrounds at government schools continued to be plagued by wild growth of congress grass and other weeds, which is a common phenomenon in the monsoon, neither school officials nor the education department appear to be interested in clearing them despite the attendant risks of infections. Students, meanwhile, often complain about the lack of space to play.
Even as playgrounds at government schools continued to be plagued by wild growth of congress grass and other weeds, which is a common phenomenon in the monsoon, neither school officials nor the education department appear to be interested in clearing them despite the attendant risks of infections. Students, meanwhile, often complain about the lack of space to play.
A visit to Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 10, revealed almost the entire playground area had been overrun by congress grass and weeds. “I’ve only recently been transferred to the school and will definitely look into the issue and take the necessary steps,” said Harbir Singh Anand, the principal.
Likewise, playgrounds at other government schools including GMSSS-37, GSSS-Mauli Jagran, and GMSSS-Karsan are also facing neglect.
Authorities unconcerned
The authorities appear unconcerned even as students continue to struggle with the lack of space to play. For one thing, the education department has not issued any instructions or taken any action to ensure schools maintain their playgrounds.
Sachin Sharma, convener of Youth Innovative Society, an NGO, said officials at government schools continued to ignore the problem despite being fully aware that unchecked growth of wild grass and weeds posed a health hazard to students. “The education department needs to act strictly as schools aren’t paying attention to maintenance of playgrounds. In addition to issuing guidelines in this regard it should conduct surprise checks to see whether these are being complied with,” he said
Vinod Sharma , president of the Government Teachers Union, added school administrations must ensure cleanliness in their premises.
