By Chandan Singh | Page 3 News Worldwide | New Delhi
New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday ordered a comprehensive structural audit of all government schools in the national capital after a surprise inspection at a government school revealed serious lapses in basic infrastructure and safety measures.
The decision came after the chief minister visited Government Sarvodaya Vidyalaya early in the morning following complaints about poor facilities. During the inspection, Gupta interacted with students and reviewed the condition of drinking water facilities, toilets, cleanliness, fire safety systems and overall infrastructure on the campus.
Students told the chief minister that water coolers and RO systems in the school had remained non-functional for a long time, forcing many of them to drink tap water directly. They also complained about unhygienic toilets, broken doors, irregular cleaning and inconsistent water supply.
The inspection also revealed that the school’s fire safety system was not functional. Expressing displeasure over the lapses, Gupta reprimanded officials and directed the concerned departments to immediately address all safety-related shortcomings. Students also highlighted a shortage of teachers during the interaction.
Calling schools “temples of education”, the chief minister said the government would ensure accountability and focus on addressing students’ actual needs. She said the structural audit would assess the condition and safety of school buildings, along with basic facilities such as drinking water, sanitation, hygiene and fire safety preparedness across all Delhi government schools.
According to the chief minister, nearly 700 government schools in Delhi require new buildings or major redevelopment, with several structures being 40 to 50 years old and in a dilapidated condition. Directions for the audit are being issued to the concerned departments.
Targeting the previous government over its education model, Gupta said there was a significant gap between “publicity and reality” in government schools. “Had the previous government genuinely strengthened the education system, students would not be struggling for basic facilities today,” she said, adding that advertisements alone cannot improve education.
The chief minister said the Delhi government was focused on delivering “concrete and result-oriented work” and had been working over the past year to strengthen basic facilities and modernise school infrastructure. She added that the government aims to provide clean drinking water, hygienic toilets, smart classrooms, digital facilities and safe infrastructure for every student.
