‘Ground’ Reality Of Delhi: Children Forced To Sit On Floors In SDMC Schools Due To Lack Of Funds

In a South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) House meeting held on Monday (17 December), details about the precarious state of government schools came to light, reports Indian Express.

According to the report, none of the schools had female security guards, many students are yet to receive stationery money. Only 62 schools, of total 344, have CCTV cameras installed in them.

In almost 14 schools, more than 5,000 students are forced to sit on floors, as there are no desks and benches, and around 44 schools do not have Jal Board’s water connections.

As per the report, a press statement released by SDMC in June stated that within four months, 4,348 CCTV cameras will be installed in 344 primary schools.

AAP councilor from Sitapur, Praveen Kumar Praveen Kumar, raised questions about the predicament of the schools in the meeting and accused the ruling BJP of making tall promises but failing to execute them.

Nandini Sharma, the South Corporation Education committee chairperson, said, “The files have been moved. Tenders are being invited, and work orders will be issued. We are expecting to get things moving by February.”

She cited lack of funding as the reason for the woes of school and said, “We received Rs 46 crore instead of Rs 89 crore in funds. We are giving Rs 500 instead of Rs 1,100 to students as a subsidy for uniforms”.