JK schools without electricity
NL Correspondent
SRINAGAR: Despite tall claims by the government that uplifting the educational system in Jammu and Kashmir was its top priority, only 20 percent schools have electricity in the state.
A recent survey by the Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) revealed that only 21.3 per cent of the schools in Jammu and Kashmir have electricity facility. In the study, ASSOCHAM has listed 10 states with poor electricity supply in schools.
Even the last year's report by Unified District Information System of Education (UDISE) had also pointed out that around 21,381 out of 29,047 schools lacked electricity facilities in the state.
The lack of electricity in majority of the schools has kept them devoid of other associated facilities as well.
The ASSOCHAM survey points out that only 15.8 per cent of schools in the state are having the facility of computer sets.
Earlier, the Director of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has informed the High Court that over 6,000 schools in the valley were without electricity.
The information was given on November 7 after the High Court, took note of the increased incidents of arson involving schools, had directed the state government to provide “adequate lighting” to the schools.
“2,207 schools have electricity facility in Kashmir division, while 6,004 are still operating without it,” the Director Education had said in its report to the High Court.
“Only some reputed institution here has electricity facility due to which they have fans as well as ACs and computers. Due to the lack of electricity supply to the schools, the students have to face immense inconveniences during hot summers and chilling winters and also affect their studies,” an official said.
A senior official said that the department has taken up the issue of providing electricity to the schools with the state's Power Development Department (PDD).
He said that the department would have to look for the funds to ensure paying of electricity charges to the PDD as well.
“So far, we didn't feel the need for electricity in schools. But recently took up the issue with PDD,” he added.
