The 31 government schools in Chandigarh are short of 185 classrooms, around 12 schools are running without regular principals and 132 posts of lecturers have been lying vacant, some of them for the last 15 years.

The condition of these schools is a matter of concern, but this does not seem to bother the UT Education department. Its claims of ‘universilisation of education’ stand ineffective with no measures taken to improve the situation.

Due to lack of infrastructure, students are made to either sit in the verandah or outside the classrooms, irrespective of the weather — rain, heat or cold.

The department blames the shortage of classrooms on “stringent building bylaws” and “the high costs of construction”.

“Non-availability of enough space in the fast-developing areas and the cost of land and building construction are the main constraints. The master plan has laid down stringent building bylaws to safeguard the modern character of the city. It is not even possible to erect prefabricated and temporary structures due to the skyrocketing prices of building material.” This was what the Education department quoted in its annual Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan report submitted to the Centre. The report, however, admits that there is a dire need for construction or extension of school building in the sectors that are rapidly growing.

Apart from infrastructure, the government schools also lack teaching staff, including principals. Around 12 schools are running without regular heads and as many as 132 posts of lecturers are lying vacant for all 22 subjects taught in the schools. The department needs 28 English and 15 Mathematics lecturers. As many as 107 posts are lying vacant in government model schools and 25 in non-model schools.

Since 1992, no meeting of the Departmental Promotion Committee has been held for making regular appointment of lecturers against vacant posts. No direct appointment has taken place since then either.