The state government is not only ignoring infrastructure needs of government schools, but is also not paying attention to the the District Education Office (DEO) for decades. The building was declared unsafe by PWD about 15 years ago.

The office, including the elementary and secondary education branches, was opened about four decades ago. Various district education officers who have held charge here have repeatedly written to the Education department in Chandigarh to shift the office from the crumbling building to a safer place.

Their requests, however, seem to have fallen on deaf ears.

A senior officer of the department admits that shifting the office to a safer premises is “necessary”.

“A couple of years ago, the roof of a room in the DEO primary section had collapsed. Fortunately, no one was in the room at that time,” the officer says. Huge cracks have developed in various rooms and also in the ceilings. The premises are an open house for stray dogs, who sit in the broken rooms of the office. “All the other offices were shifted to District Administrative Complex (DAC) many years ago, but not the DEO office,” rues an employee here.

Another employee says, “We feel ashamed when we call a meeting of the principals of private schools. There is hardly a place to sit here.”

He adds there is a big rush of visitors to the office during examinations. “At such times, we pray to God to keep the building safe. Senior authorities of the department should visit our office and only then will they realise our misery.”

Even during bright daylight, the rooms of the office remain dark. No door or window can be found in proper shape.