| 'Education priority' in J&K a 'damp squib': RTI | | Rajouri worst hit, followed by Kishtwar, Udhampur, Jammu | | Sumit Sharma
Jammu, Sept 15: The Education priority in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in Jammu region proved to be damp squib as 80% of the government schools in Jammu are running without basic facilities. An RTI query has washed government's dirty linen in public with regards to its tall claims of its focus on Education sector.
As per the information provided by the Office of the Chief Education Officer Kishtwar against RTI query filed by Kovid Khosla, an advocate of J&K High Court, Jammu and RTI activist, vide his letter No CEO/ K/RTI/13/10-11 there are 796 government schools in district Kishtwar and out of which 34 have science laboratories,103 have libraries ,15 have computer lab,50 have play ground,34 have electricity and 25 have furniture facilities. Coming on private schools in this particular district there are 76 schools and out of which 36 have science laboratories, 56 have libraries, 36 have computer lab,10 have playground,36 have electricity and 56 are equipped with furniture.
The condition of other hilly district Rajouri is also similar with district Kishtwar.As per RTI reply by CEO Rajouri vide letter No CEOR/RTI/16607-16609, there are 555 government middle school and out of which 555 go without science laboratories, 519 are without computer lab,370 have no playground and 230 devoid of electricity, while as out of 112 Government High School 36 are without science lab,70 go without computer lab and 28 have no electricity.
In Udhampur, there are 50 government schools in entire zone of Dudu and out of which only 2 have science laboratories,4 have libraries,4 have computer lab and 28 have playground. Worthwhile to mention here that the education department shared details after six months of gap of filing RTI query that too after SIC's strict notice to department.
In Jammu, according to reply filed under No CEOJ/RTI/2013/5416-17 by PIO, There are 172 government schools including Middle/High Schools in Jammu district and among them 79 are without electricity, 138 san science laboratory,107 are without library,160 without computer laboratory,71 without play ground,14 are without furniture and one school in Bishnah is running in open.
The astounding disclosure was made when Khosla Sought details of middle/High schools of government in Jammu district without science laboratories, libraries, computer laboratories, play grounds, electricity, furniture and how many schools are operating in open. The information seeker also sought details of central and state government aided school in entire Jammu district with details of aid, financial aid provided such schools in the year 2011-12 and 2012-13.
However, replying to second question, the CEO, Jammu said that there is no government aided school in Jammu district. The disclosure has not only exposed the tall claims of the government, but also shamed its intentions with regards to prioritizing the education sector. Further, among the worst hit schools deprived of the all facilities, came under the jurisdiction of the Zonal Education Officer Arnia in which about 54 schools most of them go without electricity, playground, library, computer lab and other facilities.
Zonal Officer Satwari comes a close second with half of the total schools numbering 32 under its jurisdiction without basic facilities. The schools situated in Jammu city and its peripheries go without computer labs though electricity is available in those schools. 21 schools which fall under the jurisdiction of Zonal Education Officer Purmandal have same pitiable condition as those of Satwari Zone. |
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