As the year draws to a close, three government schools in the Lohian block of Jalandhar district continue to wait for promised reconstruction, leaving students and staff in unsafe and inadequate learning environments. The delay has sparked concern among parents and local residents who see little progress on the ground despite official assurances.
Schools in a State of Disrepair
The affected institutions include the Government Primary School (GPS) in Bhandal Bet, the Government Elementary School in Mallian, and the Government High School in Bohara. According to reports, these buildings are in a severely dilapidated condition. The school in Bhandal Bet, in particular, is said to be on the verge of collapse, posing a direct threat to the safety of the children and teachers who use it daily.
Parents have expressed deep anxiety, stating that they send their children to these schools with fear in their hearts. The poor infrastructure not only compromises safety but also severely impacts the quality of education. Students are forced to study in crumbling classrooms that are ill-equipped to handle weather extremes, be it the scorching summer heat or the monsoon rains.
Official Promises and Bureaucratic Hurdles
Local authorities, including the Block Primary Education Officer (BPEO), have acknowledged the problem. It is reported that the reconstruction of these schools was approved and the necessary funds were sanctioned. However, the physical work of rebuilding has not commenced.
The delay appears to stem from procedural bottlenecks. Sources indicate that while the administrative approval is in place, the tendering process or the final allocation of contractors might be pending. This bureaucratic lag means that another academic year is likely to pass with students continuing to learn in substandard and potentially hazardous conditions.
The situation highlights a critical gap between policy decisions and their on-ground implementation in the education sector. The promise of a new school building remains just that—a promise—for the villagers of Bhandal Bet, Mallian, and Bohara.
Impact on Students and Community
The consequences of this delay are multifaceted. Beyond the obvious safety risks, the state of the buildings demoralizes both students and teachers. It sends a message of neglect, potentially affecting attendance and the community's faith in the public education system.
In rural areas, a school is often more than just a learning center; it is a community hub. Its dilapidation reflects on the overall development and priority given to the region. Residents are now urging the district administration and the education department to intervene directly and expedite the reconstruction process.
They demand a clear timeline for when the construction will begin and be completed, ensuring that the next academic session can be held in safe, new buildings. Until then, the wait continues, and the future of hundreds of students hangs in the balance, caught between official files and crumbling walls.
