Amid CJP ‘inspections’, Rajasthan Government Confesses 611 Schools Have No Buildings; 2,047 Lack Toilets

The Rajasthan government has told the state Assembly that 611 government schools are operating without their own schools, highlighting the infrastructure shortage in the state's school education system. The revelation follows a political debate on the state of government schools and worries about the safety and basic amenities provided to students.

The government has replied to Leader of Opposition Tika Ram Jully's question that there are no separate buildings in 611 government schools in Rajasthan. Ten of these are girls' schools. There are 38 government schools in Jaipur that are operating without their own school buildings.

Jhalawar has the highest number of schools without buildings

The shortage is distributed in various districts and blocks. The highest number of government schools without buildings is in Aklera block (23), followed by Khanpur (16) and Jhalrapatan (11). Bap has 11 such schools and Chotisarvan in Banswara has 10.

The infrastructure gap is not limited to school buildings. The Assembly was told that out of the 64,484 government schools that have their own buildings, 2,047 schools have no toilet facilities and 1,049 schools have no drinking-water facilities.

The highest number of schools without toilets was in Banswara (188), followed by Dungarpur (124) and Udaipur (98). The highest number of schools without drinking-water facilities was recorded in Dausa (96), followed by Udaipur (70) and Alwar (65). 

The Rajasthan government announces ₹1,000 crore for school infrastructure.

The government has announced funds for construction and repair work. ₹550 crore has been allocated for the repair and renovation of schools and another ₹450 crore has been allocated for the construction of buildings for those schools which do not have their own buildings.

The government also stated that it can allocate ₹2,500 crore annually or ₹12,500 crore over five years for new construction and repair and maintenance of dilapidated primary and higher secondary school buildings.

The funds are to be sourced from various sources such as District Mineral Foundation Trust, Samagra Shiksha, state funds, corporate social responsibility and local area development funds.

Opposition flags safety concerns in Rajasthan schools

The Assembly disclosure comes at a time when there is a broader political discussion on school infrastructure in Rajasthan. Leader of Opposition Tika Ram Jully referred to an audit and said that 3,768 government schools were found unsafe and 83,783 school rooms were in a totally unsafe and dilapidated condition.

The condition of government schools also emerged as a flash point when a CJP team led by co-convenor Ashutosh Ranka tried to visit a government school in Bagru near Jaipur. The team was attacked as they were making their way to the school where it was alleged that pupils were being taught in a makeshift classroom due to the main school building being deemed unsafe.

The Assembly figures now give a more comprehensive view of the infrastructure challenge.The figures show that the infrastructure challenge extends beyond the availability of school buildings, with gaps also reported in basic facilities such as toilets and drinking water. A school that is safe, with usable toilets, drinking water and where children can learn without worrying about basic safety is also a functional school.

The government has announced a sum of ₹1,000 crore specifically for the construction and repair of schools, and now the spotlight is on the pace and effectiveness of the promised infrastructure work reaching the schools that need it.