Shimla, August 25: In Kullu district’s Kharahal Valley, a government high school building has remained incomplete even after seven years of construction. This situation raises serious questions about the state government’s efficiency, integrity, and fairness in addressing children’s educational needs.
Construction of the Chansari School building began in 2019, but despite the passage of years, the structure remains unfinished. The delay has resulted in increased costs; the budget for the school building has escalated significantly compared to the initial estimates.
Additionally, the building suffered considerable damage due to rain and subsequent natural disasters. Over 100 students enrolled at the school are now facing space shortages for their studies.
Children from three panchayats—Bandal, Siugi, and Chansari—attend this school. Following the damage to the old building, the School Management Committee (SMC) arranged for classes to be held in a private building, but the agreement for that location has now expired.
Devendra Sharma, the SMC president, informed the press that the tender for the school building was awarded for approximately ₹1.18 crore, yet the work remains incomplete. He stated, “If the education department does not take immediate action, it will become difficult to conduct classes in the future.” He also urged the administration to expedite the completion of the new building.
Recently, a delegation from the SMC and local residents met with Kullu’s Deputy Commissioner (DC) regarding this issue. The villagers demanded that the administration complete the school building promptly. They reported that under the current arrangement, two or three classes are being conducted in a single room, adversely affecting students’ education.
Parents and locals expressed their frustrations, stating that they have repeatedly appealed to the administration regarding the school building, but to no avail. They emphasized that children are facing significant challenges in their studies.
A teacher at the school, Bhal Chand Shastri, noted that the old building has been in disrepair for several years, and the construction of the new building has been stalled for a long time. However, he remains hopeful that the government will address their complaints and make necessary improvements to ensure that children have access to essential educational facilities.
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