The government’s plan to make students computer literate has taken a back seat, with computers handed over to schools being left unused for various reasons.
Computers systems were handed over to schools through Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and other projects. A common complaint is the shortage of staff to train students and to maintain computers at schools. A few schools returned their computers owing to absence of power connection.
Take the case of Government High School (GHS), Darachee Bawahir, at Kishanbagh. As many as 10 computers handed over to the school lie unused as there are no teachers to conduct classes.
It is the same story at GHS Umda Bazaar, GHS Mughalpura, GHS City Boys School Kalikaman and GHS Golconda, to name a few.
Libraries? What are they?
Science laboratories and libraries are unheard-of terms among students at various government-managed schools.
A handful of schools boast these facilities, while for many it remains a pipe dream. Most schools maintain just a set of story and curriculum-based books and do not upgrade the collection. “Where is the space to set up a library?” asks a teacher. Similar is the case with science laboratories which are mandatory for practical experiments.
Owing to space constraints, storing the equipment is a problem, and teachers conduct experiments only when required.
The Department of School Education allots a fixed amount of money for procuring lab equipment for science practical classes, but one is not sure how much is spent on it or siphoned off, fears S.Q. Masood, a social worker.
Fire safety measure? Er…no…
While fire safety measures are mandatory, they are simply non-existent in government schools.
Even in newly constructed schools not much attention is being given to this aspect despite availability of adequate space.
For instance, at Government High School, Darachee Bawaheer, at Kishanbagh, there is only one staircase even as the three-storey building accommodates more than 1,500 students and is spread across a vast area with nearly 20 classrooms.
The situation is similar at Government Primary and High School, Kulsumpura, GGHS Golconda, GBHS Golconda, GHS Umda Bazaar, GHS Kotla Alijah and GHS Jahanuma.
“We have not been provided with even fire extinguishers,” complains a headmaster.
Worse, a large number of schools have no water storage tanks. Teachers feel such aspects should be taken into account in future planning.
“It is alright if there is space constraint, but officials stick to the rule book and care little about the safety aspects. Overhead water storage tanks should also be made compulsory,” says a school teacher.
