Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Deputy Mayor Mohali Kuljit Singh Bedi unmasks poor condition of cleanliness in primary schools of Punjab
Only 22 permanent Safai Sevaks in 3943 primary schools, only 227 regular posts: Bedi
Harshabab Sidhu
Mohali, February 4, 2023: Mohali Municipal Corporation Deputy Mayor Kuljit Singh Bedi has raised many question marks on the primary school system of Punjab by obtaining information under the right to information. In particular, questions have been raised about the cleanliness arrangements of the primary school, where children begin their education.
In a press conference today, Kuljit Singh Bedi revealed that according to the information he received, the total number of primary schools in Punjab is 12826. He said that he had asked for information regarding the cleanliness of all the schools, out of which he has received information about 3943 primary schools.
He said that the surprising thing is that there are only 227 regular posts of Safai sevaks in these schools. Out of these only 22 posts were filled by the government.
He said that in the information received under the right to information, it has been stated that 295 Safai sevaks have been placed in these schools on temporary basis.
He said that I the information, it has been told that there are a large number of bathrooms built in primary schools, modtly through the grant of the central government, but there is no arrangement for their cleanliness and they are cleaned only by the students themselves.
No grant for sanitation arrangements
He said that the bigger thing is that in the information sought under the right to information, it has come to light that no single grant is given to any primary school for cleaning arrangements and cleaning arrangements are done by the primary school management itself.
This is the inspiration
Deputy Mayor Kuljit Singh Bedi said that he read the news of a school in Ludhiana in which school children were shown cleaning the bathroom. He said that he was very distressed by this news and picture, after which he asked for information and got this surprising information. He said that as soon as he gets information about other schools, he will continue to share this information.
He said that he has not arranged this press conference due to any political motive, nor is he blaming the present government in this regard, because the situation in terms of cleanliness arrangements of primary schools has been the same during the previous governments as well. He said that despite this, one thing must be said that the present Punjab government is looking very keen to send teachers abroad, but no attention is being paid to the cleanliness of the schools where the children's education is to be started. The tenure of the current government has also been completed for almost one year.
He demanded from the Aam Aadmi Party government of Punjab that the government that came to power after talking about no compromise in school education and health should pay special attention to the cleanliness of primary schools. He said that in case this does not happen, he will be forced to take the government to court for which the government will be responsible.