SFI Leads Students’ March Against Poor Condition of Rajasthan Government Schools

Jaipur: Students led by the SFI marched to the Sikar district collectorate in Rajasthan protesting the poor condition of government schools in the state. The protest highlighted the deplorable condition of the government school in Thedi village, which was established in 1957. Led by SFI national vice-president Subhash Jakhar and Sikar MP Amraram, the students reached the collectorate and submitted a memorandum.

Several reports have recently highlighted the dilapidated condition of school buildings and the lack of basic infrastructure in Rajasthan. The government school in Thedi village is no exception. The building, established in 1957, has neither been rebuilt nor renovated since then. The school building is in such a dangerous condition that it could collapse at any moment. Even when there is light rain, the principal routinely sends the students home.

The students also pointed out the shortage of classrooms and teachers. Of the 15 sanctioned teaching posts, only eight teachers have been appointed. Nearly 50 per cent of the posts remain vacant. There is only one political science teacher for Classes 11 and 12. There are no teachers for geography, Hindi literature or Sanskrit. The school has no playground, laboratories or library for students. The students also stated in the memorandum that there are not enough toilets and that even drinking water is unavailable.

Parents had earlier protested against the lack of basic facilities at the new girls’ Sainik School, launched by the Rajasthan government as a flagship project, despite students being charged fees. Although Rs 1.5 lakh is collected as tuition fees and Rs 40,000 as mess charges, parents said uniforms, textbooks and sports equipment had not been provided. They also complained that the hostel does not receive a regular power supply and that food and drinking water are not being provided properly. Three days after the protest held on August 23, the government sanctioned Rs 65 crore for the development of the school, but the funds have not yet been released.

The condition of most government schools in Rajasthan is alarming. With no alternative arrangements being made for buildings in dangerous condition, students are even being forced to study in cattle sheds. A recent survey by the Education Department found that 5,667 school buildings out of 63,018 schools in the state are at risk of collapse.