Op Kayakalp to ensure basic facilities in schools

Lucknow: Director general, school education, Anamika Singh on Thursday directed officials to ensure that 100% schools are saturated with basic facilities under Operation Kayakalp, a dream project of the UP government, by March. So far, close to 70% government schools are saturated with facilities like boundary walls, safe and clean drinking water, running and piped water, hand-washing unit, kitchen shed, electric supply and others. Statistics show that only 21% schools across the state have furniture (desk-bench) for children while 14% have special needs toilets. However, 86% schools offer safe and clean drinking water, 69% have piped water supply, 63% have handwashing units, 91% have blackboards/greenboards in class. In 79% schools, there is facility of kitchen shed with flooring while white-washing has been completed in 90% schools. In a review meeting held with basic shiksha adhikaris (BSAs) and assistant directors, Singh said all infrastructural work to be completed in schools till January 30 as the schools are shut for children. Also, furniture should be made available in schools before schools reopen. Singh also instructed officials to compile a report of the primary and upper primary schools in dilapidated condition and needing demolition or those that require immediate repair. The review meeting which will also be held on Friday will focus on performance indicators, 100 days reading campaign and pre-primary readiness programme.