Inspection exposes lack of infra at school in Sirmaur village, DC seeks action plan

In a move to ensure better monitoring of educational institutions, Sirmaur Deputy Commissioner (DC) Sumit Khimta conducted a surprise inspection at Government Senior Secondary School, Jamta, on Monday.

During the visit, various deficiencies in the school were highlighted as the school’s facilities and educational practices were reviewed. The Deputy Commissioner inspected multiple aspects of the school, including the teaching environment, students welfare, infrastructure and the implementation of the mid-day meal (MDM) scheme. He also interacted with both teachers and students to gain insights into the quality of education being delivered and various challenges faced by the school.

During discussions with teachers, the DC emphasized the importance of providing holistic exposure to students, especially in rural areas where resources are often limited. The DC urged teachers to ensure that students were not left behind due to the lack of proper guidance or learning opportunities.

He closely examined the functioning of the mid-day meal scheme, which provides free lunches to schoolchildren to improve nutrition and attendance. While the MDM was found to be in operation, the DC pointed out the need for improvement in the kitchen infrastructure to ensure hygienic and efficient meal preparation.

Additionally, he conducted a thorough review of the school’s infrastructure. It was observed that the school lacked classrooms and other essential facilities. The road leading to the school was also found to be in a poor condition, making access difficult, especially during adverse weather conditions.

Meanwhile, it was found that the quality of education in the subject of history was not up to the mark. Taking took immediate note of this issue, the Deputy Commissioner sought an explanation from the lecturer concerned.

He expressed disappointment over the poor quality of education despite the availability of teachers for all subjects in the school and gave strict directions to the school management to improve the quality of education being provided to the students.

In response to the concerns raised during the inspection, the DC issued directives to all sub-divisional magistrates (SDMs) in Sirmaur district to conduct regular monthly inspections of both health and educational institutions within their jurisdiction so that such institutions maintain consistent standards of service delivery.

The DC assured the school authorities that funds would be allocated for improving the school’s infrastructure — construction of additional classrooms, renovation of the mid-day meal kitchen, and repair of the nearby road. The financial aid is expected to significantly enhance the learning environment and overall accessibility.

Besides, the school management has been directed to submit an action plan to address issues that have been identified during the inspection. Follow-up reviews are also expected to be held in the coming months.