Flood-Damaged Schools in Ludhiana Await Repairs

The government of Punjab gathered reports detailing the flood damage caused to schools across the state and allocated a budget for repairs. However, no financial assistance has reached the affected institutions, leaving them to manage on their own. Schools are conducting classes under leaking roofs and within crumbling walls, with some students even having to learn in verandas. The education department reports that 242 schools in the Ludhiana district have been affected, with the estimated cost of repair standing at Rs.614.86 lakh.

Key Takeaways:

• 242 schools in Ludhiana district reported flood-related damage, with an estimated cost of repair of Rs.614.86 lakh.
• The education department instructed schools to upload details of their losses on a government-managed Google sheet, where over 250 institutions listed repair costs ranging from a few hundred rupees to several lakhs.
• Government Girls Senior Secondary School (GSSS) Sahnewal reported severe waterlogging, with 8,500 sq ft of roof and 560 sq ft of boundary wall affected, along with a demand of Rs.15,000 for electricity repairs.
• Many schools, including Government Middle School Tamkodi, Government High School Sehjo Majra, and GSSS Jarg (Girls), reported damage to projectors.
• Roof leakages and worsened by continuous rains remain a common issue in many schools, with some schools even using verandahs or making teachers fund minor repairs themselves.
• Deputy district education officer (elementary) Manoj Kumar acknowledged the crisis, stating that urgent repairs have been requested for 20-25 schools through the deputy commissioner.
• Administrative secretary of school education, Anindita Mitra, explained that the rural development department has been asked to cover minor works, while the larger demands have been pushed under the disaster relief fund.

Statistics:

• 242 schools are affected in Ludhiana district.
• The estimated cost of repair is Rs.614.86 lakh.
• 15 block primary education offices (BPEOs) have reported damages, requiring around Rs.101.09 lakh for repairs.
• Over 250 schools listed repair costs ranging from a few hundred rupees to several lakhs on the government-managed Google sheet.
• Government Girls Senior Secondary School (GSSS) Sahnewal reported Rs.15,000 in damages for electricity repairs.

Sources:

• Hindustan Times - report by HT Digital Content Services with permission.
• Government of Punjab - education department reports.
• Google sheet - government-managed document detailing school losses.
• Punjab government - websites of Anindita Mitra, administrative secretary of school education, and Manoj Kumar, deputy district education officer (elementary).