The recently inaugurated School of Eminence (SOE) in Kidwai Nagar may have a new 40-classroom campus, but several of its key facilities remain unused, with its chemistry, physics and biology laboratories still without equipment.
The mid-day meal hall is also lying vacant as students of Classes 6 to 8 are yet to be shifted from the old government school’s division 3 building. Since the mid-day meal scheme covers students only up to Class 8, the facility cannot be put to its intended use until these students are moved to the new campus.
At present, the SOE is accommodating only 14 sections. These include Classes 9 and 10, along with Classes 11 and 12 in humanities, commerce, medical and non-medical streams.
The campus, therefore, continues to operate below its planned capacity. District SOE in-charge Vishwakirat Kahlon had earlier said the remaining classes would be shifted gradually.
The school was inaugurated by chief minister Bhagwant Mann on August 2 after repeated delays and missed deadlines.
Initially, only six sections were moved to the new campus, with students of Classes 11 and 12 from the medical, non-medical and commerce streams attending classes there. Humanities students continued at the old division 3 building. Around a week ago, students of Classes 9 to 12 were shifted entirely to the new campus.
{{/usCountry}}Initially, only six sections were moved to the new campus, with students of Classes 11 and 12 from the medical, non-medical and commerce streams attending classes there. Humanities students continued at the old division 3 building. Around a week ago, students of Classes 9 to 12 were shifted entirely to the new campus.
{{/usCountry}}“There is a common science lab where students can perform experiments, but it will take time to bring new equipment to the laboratories of different subjects,” principal Ranjit Kaur said.
The school currently has only four interactive panels. Kaur said the school has demanded 10 additional panels from the department to meet the requirements of the campus.
The new campus also lacks a dedicated playground. The entire open area has been covered with interlocking tiles. “The area was not appropriate for a dedicated playground, which is why we have mats for kabaddi and other indoor games,” Kaur said.
Running the school from two separate buildings has also resulted in the division of staff. The sanctioned post of a sweeper remains vacant, while a sweeper hired from the school’s own funds is mostly deployed on the old campus.
“She visits this school on some days as well, but we have requested the local MLA for another sweeper. We are hopeful that the additional one will be provided soon” Kaur said.