New rooms constructed, still schools not fit to hold classes

The construction work of 45 new classrooms across three government model schools might be complete but two of the schools continue to lack proper infrastructure.

At the Government Model Senior Secondary School, Punjab Agricultural University, 23 new classrooms have been constructed however fans, tubelights and blackboards are still not instaled in the classes.

School's principal Sanjeev Thapar said "The public works department is yet to hand over the new classrooms to us. Till then we will have to run the school in double shift." Thapar said that for the past four years they had been conducting classes in double shift due to a shortage of classrooms and they would be forced to continue doing it if the authorities failed to hand over the new classrooms before the completion of summer vacations.

Government Model Senior Secondary School, Cemetery Road, boasts of ten new classrooms but the floor level of the corridor and verandah in the school is at such a level that rainwater could easily enter classrooms. During a visit to the school, workers could still be seen trying to rectify the problem.

The construction work of 45 classrooms had started in February 2014 and the deadline for its completion had been extended thrice. It was only after chief minister, Parkash Singh Badal visit to the three schools in January of last year that the construction work had started.

Only Government Model Senior Secondary School, Model Town, appeared to be ready to hold classes. The school has witnessed construction of 12 new classrooms. School's principal Nahar Singh said, "The classrooms are ready and we will be able to conduct classes in them from July 1."