Govt says admin upgrading infrastructure
Srinagar, July 28: With heat wave conditions prevailing in Kashmir, students are facing tough times as the majority of schools lack basic facilities like fans and coolers to combat the scorching heat.
The provision of coolers and fans almost doesn’t exist in the majority of government-run and private schools in the Kashmir Valley.
“Srinagar is simmering much hotter than Jammu and Delhi,” he said.
The lack of arrangements has made life difficult for students, who complain they face immense problems in the absence of the required facilities during the hot summer days.
An official of the Education Department said there is no provision for coolers and fans in the majority of schools.
“There are some schools which have the required arrangements to resist the scorching heat. However, the majority of schools in the Valley lack the necessary facilities to provide relief from the blistering weather,” he said.
“The temperature is much higher in Kashmir than in Jammu, yet the Valley’s schools lack any amenities to combat the scorching heat,” he added.
Parents of students are worried about the health of their wards as schools lack basic infrastructure and facilities.
“In the absence of any facilities to counter the hot weather, my 10 year-old daughter usually falls ill while sitting without a fan in a humid room at school. There is no provision for fans and coolers in her school, which is very inconvenient for the children,” said Mohammad Ashraf, whose daughter studies at a school downtown.
“On Thursday, my 14-year-old daughter fell unconscious at school. The doctor told us she fell unconscious because she had been sitting in a humid room,” said another parent, Mohammad Ismail from Budgam.
Parents demand that the government ensure children do not suffer in these hot weather conditions, as they cannot afford to put their children at risk.
Meanwhile, Principal Secretary of the School Education Department, Alok Kumar, said that as of now, it was not possible for the school education department to install air conditioners. “But we are working on upgrading the infrastructure in public schools. In government schools, we have facilities for the students like the availability of drinking water and shaded areas,” he said.
He further said, “We had already announced summer vacation and even changed the school timing considering the hot weather conditions. However, if we continue to announce further vacations, we won’t be able to complete the syllabus on time.”
Kumar said that it was not possible to announce more summer vacations. “However, if any student is not doing well because of the weather, we won’t be strict about their attendance,” he added.
