Shimla, Aug 24 (IANS) An incomplete building of a government high school in Kharahal Valley of Kullu district (Himachal Pradesh), after seven years of construction, is raising multiple questions about the propriety, integrity and objectivity of the state government in addressing children’s needs.
The Chansari school building in Kullu has been under construction since 2019, and despite many years passing, the structure remains incomplete and unfinished to date. Its first fallout is the budget overshoot, as the expense of constructing the school building will be much higher now compared to when conceived and at the beginning of the project.
Also, the school building suffered severe damage during the rain and the subsequent natural disaster. More than 100 students attending the school are now facing a crisis regarding space for their studies.
Children from three panchayats used to attend this school, including students from Bandal Panchayat, Seugi Panchayat, and three villages of Chansari Panchayat.
As the old building got damaged, the School Management Committee (SMC) arranged to hold classes in a private building, but the agreement for the premises has now expired.
SMC President Devendra Sharma told the press that the tender for the school building’s construction was awarded for approximately ₹1.18 crore, yet the work remains incomplete.
“If the Education Department does not take prompt action, conducting classes in the near future will become difficult,” he said, while urging the administration to expedite the completion of the new building.
A delegation comprising the School Management Committee and villagers also met the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Kullu recently regarding this matter.
The villagers demanded that the administration ensure the swift completion of the school building. They pointed out that under the current arrangement, two or three classes are being conducted in a single room, which is adversely affecting the students’ education.
Parents and residents, sharing their anguish, mentioned that repeated requests have been made to the administration regarding the school building, but that went in vain. They say that children are facing many difficulties in their studies.
A school teacher named Bhal Chand Shastri stated that the old building has been in a damaged state for several years and the construction of the new building had remained stalled for a long time.
He, however, expressed hope that the government takes note of their complaint and makes amends soon so that children could get basic infrastructural support for education.
–IANS
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