Govt refurbishing school facilities for elections, to benefit students

Allahabad: The teachers and students of primary and secondary schools in the state are a happier lot as facilities in their institutions are being revamped since they would serve as polling booths in the general elections.
The government has provided over Rs 130 crore for refurbishing the basic facilities at these schools to facilitate the polling process. Of the total amount, over Rs 32.67 crore would be spent on electricity connections in schools while over Rs 98.66 crore will be used for installing new electric wiring and electrical fittings in classrooms where polling would be done.

As per a letter, signed by director, basic education, Sarvendra Vikram Bahadur Singh, dated March 27, the UP power corporation has been entrusted with the responsibility of providing power connection to schools which lack one and funds over Rs 32.67 crore have been sanctioned for this.

“Several schools in rural areas have electricity connections but lack proper power cables and supporting equipment. This fund is being used to install wiring and the required equipment in the schools marked as polling centres,” said, Basik Shiksha Adhikari, Sanjay Kushwaha.

In Allahabad, around 1,400 of total 3,478 primary schools across the district would be revamped in this exercise under which every room would be provided with at least one fan and LED light.

As per sources, every school, on an average, would be given funds for six fans and an equal number of LED bulbs (20watt). LED bulbs and fans would also be fitted in the verandahs of these schools.

“In the last elections, the school administration had to arrange bulbs and fans for polling. But this initiative of the government would ultimately benefit at large number of students,” said Rajdhar Dubey, head master of a primary school in Kaundiyara block.