HUBBALLI: As part of its efforts to ensure that children from underprivileged families are not denied access to the latest learning tools, the Hubballi-Dharwad Smart Cities Ltd (HDSCL) has transformed two government schools, to put them on a par with their private counterparts.
HDSCL upgraded two
government schools in Tabiband in
Hubballi, which has been upgraded to meet the highest standards of
modern education.
The school’s crumbling building – holes in the ceiling, dark and dingy classrooms andunhygieniclavatories – has been renovated and fixed, given a new look. HDSCLspentestimatedRs1.4 crore to refurbish the schools, which, transformed, now boast spacious lawns, well-illuminated classrooms and clean lavatories. Taking cognisance of the economic condition of most of the students in the schools – majority of them are children of those subsisting on daily wages – the civic agency undertook the initiative to ensure that there are no gaps in their learning.
Headmistress of Ghantikeri Kannada Government Boys School Tejaswini Revadigar admitted to the building now wearing a new look, and various learning tools being introduced.
“The school is very much on a par with a private school. We now have 14 classrooms, including a NaliKali room, a library and a science laboratory,” she said.
Tejasvini said that no longer would the students have to bear the brunt of inclement weather. “We have around 192 students in our school, which offers education from class I to VIII. Owing to
Covid, only those students in classes VI to VIII have been attending classes, and they delighted with the result of the renovation. They are enjoying playing in the new ground and utilising allthe facilities,” she added.
Assistant executive engineer for HDSCL NH Tadakod said that they had replaced old doors, damaged windows with new ones in the boys school and the Girls School No.1. “We have built a new compound wall with a gate to ensure there is no tresspassing,”he said.
HDSCL special officer SH
Naregal said that the two schoolshad been refurbished as part of the ‘Urban Poor Smart City Project Package Three’. “In all, we have been allocated a corpus of Rs 31.3 crore for this initiative, under which we are looking to renovate and repair old government schools. We have completed nearly 90% of the work at both the schools, and the revived buildings will be formally inaugurated soon,” Naregal said.
More schools in the twin cities are slated to be upgraded as part of the initiativeundertaken by Hubballi-Dharwad Smart Cities Ltd.