Schools gear up to combat power crisis

GURGAON: Lack of any power backup system amidst soaring temperatures and power cuts, forced many government schools in the city to extend the summer vacations till July 9. On the other hand, private schools will have to spend on power backup systems like generators.
Bhatia, former principal of Swiss Cottage School said, "The problem of power cuts does not bother the private schools much as they have power backups (generators)."
However, apart from generators, Ryan International School has planned on activities like rain dance and pool day to help children beat the heat."Apart from the fun activities, the faculty has also decided to convert the physical training sessions into indoor activities' session," said Peeya Sharma, school's headmistress. But, such facilities have drawbacks as well. The generators need to be switched off for at least two to three hours a day and since they work on diesel, it has a harmful impact on the environment.
"Power cuts do not cause much of a problem, since we have generators. We want to give the students and teachers, a very comfortable environment for education. But, we are an environment-friendly school and are unhappy about the prices we have to pay," said Komal Sood, Principal, Shri Ram School.
However, not all private schools have generators and some do not use it, even though they have the facility. Sources said that although Chiranjiv Bharti School has a power backup system, yet it does not utilize the facility, making children suffer.