| Toilets non-operational, students pee in open | | |
Early Times Report
Rajouri, Feb 21: Most of the toilets constructed in government schools of Rajouri under Sarav Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhymik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) and Swachh Bharat Swachh Vidyalaya (SBSV) initiative of Prime Minister Narender Modi, are non-operational for various reasons. Soon after their construction, many of these toilet blocks had to be closed because neither union ministry of human resources (MHR) had made available janitors nor PHE department had provided them water connections, an officer of education department said. "Despite the availability of toilet blocks in every government school, students, including girls, pee in open fields. Some parents don't send their girls to schools in the absence of toilets," he added. According to data available with CEO office, 2,512 toilet blocks were constructed in government schools in the district at the cost of Rs 1,239.40 lakh under RMSA and SSA. Out of 2512 toilet blocks, 493 - 113 for girl students and 380 for boys -- were constructed under Swachh Bharat -Swachh Vidyalaya initiative. "Most of them were made operational in the initial stage but due to the absence of janitors and water connections, these became non-operational and the matter was taken up with higher authorities," the CEO said. Following difficulties faced in the maintenance of these toilets, the ministry of human resources had now decided to appoint employees for Rs 500 per month (where water is not available) and for Rs 100 per month where water was available, sources informed. "Where PHE has provided water connections, the supply of water was not regular, thus making the these toilets unfit for use by students," said a school head. |
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