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Books kept in labs, classes as 29 Ludhiana govt schools have no room for libraries

At least 29 government schools of the district do not have integrated libraries, where children can sit and study. And the shoddy state of affairs can be gauged from the fact that books in government schools are kept in almirahs in classrooms or laboratories due to lack of space.

Updated on: Aug 30, 2016, 13:03:11 IST
Hindustan Times | By , Ludhiana
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At least 29 government schools of the district do not have integrated libraries, where children can sit and study. And the shoddy state of affairs can be gauged from the fact that books in government schools are kept in almirahs in classrooms or laboratories due to lack of space.

Books kept in cupboards at the Edusat Laboratory at Government Senior Secondary School, Engine Shed, in Ludhiana on Monday. (JS Grewal/HT Photo)
Books kept in cupboards at the Edusat Laboratory at Government Senior Secondary School, Engine Shed, in Ludhiana on Monday. (JS Grewal/HT Photo)

A visit to Government Senior Secondary School, Engine shed, revealed the school has a rich collection of 1,471 books, but has no space for a library.

In the absence of room for library, the books are kept in two classrooms and Edusat laboratory.

A teacher who issues books to students, on condition of anonymity, said, “To promote reading habit and to uplift their spirit by instilling higher values in them, we issue books to students in adjustment period. In absence of a proper room for library, students have to study in their classroom only.”

A student of Class 10, who wished not to be named, said, “The government has recently upgraded our school from high to senior secondary, yet our school is without a library. During adjustment period, it is difficult to read books. We need a reading room with library in our school.”

The situation is no different in other schools. At Government Senior Secondary School, Lehal, books are stacked in four almirahs in a classroom. A teacher said, “Due to shortage of classrooms we are holding two classes in open and have no room to keep library books.”

Government Senior Secondary School, Girls, Macchiwara, is also facing shortage of classrooms and exists without a library. The school has 2,000 books are all are kept in almirahs in classrooms.

District Education Officer, secondary, Paramjit Kaur Chahal, said, “We are yet to receive funds under Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan for the construction of library rooms.”

  • Deepa Sharma Sood
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Deepa Sharma Sood

    Deepa Sharma Sood, a senior correspondent in Ludhiana, reports on education and health.