Members of Yadgir Zilla Panchayat, cutting across party lines, on Wednesday took officials of the Education Department to task for not providing basic infrastructure in government-run schools though the academic year is coming to an end.
They urged panchayat president Rajshekhargouda Patil Vajjal to form a committee to ascertain facts and submit a report, enabling the panchayat to take immediate action before the notification for parliamentary election is made.
Soon after the general body meeting commenced in the zilla panchayat auditorium here, members from both the Congress and the BJP Nagamma, Rajashree Raghunathareddy, Shasikala Bhimanagowda Kyatnal, Marlingappa Karnal, Basanagowda Yadiyapur and Shivalingappa Putagi said that a majority of schools across the district did not have proper and basic facilities such as drinking water, toilets for girls, compound walls and desks. And, students have been forced to study in that situation for the past many months, they added.
Pointing out to the official apathy, Mr. Putagi said that incomplete toilets attached to a high school in Motnalli village have turned into a shelter for pigs and stray dogs.
“I have written to the officials concerned. However, they have not bothered to attend to the issue,” he added.
“The lack of facilities has badly hit education and also on results. Considering this, we brought these problems to the notice of the Education Department many a time, even in writing. But, there have been no fruitful results so far. Therefore, a committee should be formed to ascertain the facts to submit a report,” Mr. Karnal said. Mr. Yadiyapur, who extended support to the members, said that elections to Parliament are nearing.
If a report on the needs of schools was submitted soon, the zilla panchayat would then be able to take up infrastructure works, Mr. Yadiyapur added.
Repair works
Responding to this, Education Department officials said that the repair works in 42 high schools have been taken up and of them, work in 37 schools has been completed so far. But, disagreeing with this, members sought records about allotment of work. Intervening in the middle, Mr. Vajjal directed all officials, including those from the Education Department, to bring records pertaining to development works taken up so far and submit them in the House as the meeting will continue on Thursday.
Also expressing serious concern on SSLC results, Mr. Vajjal suggested to the officials to conduct special classes, especially in Mathematics and English, for better results as many students seemed to have failed in these subjects in the previous year’s examinations.
Other development works taken up by various departments were reviewed.
Girijamma Sadashivareddy Rotnadagi, panchayat vice-president, Kavita Mannikeri, Chief Executive Officer, and other officials were present.
