Once in shambles, village school is famous for attractive look, good infrastructure

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, August 30

Government Primary School, Athaula, was like an ordinary village school with poor infrastructure.

Whenever it rained, roofs of classrooms would start leaking, making it almost impossible for them to study. Rainy days always played spoilsport for them.

This went on for several years until NRI Gurkaran Singh belonging to the village, who lives in the USA, got to know about it and then changed its destiny. Now, this school is an example for others. People come from other villages to see it.

He spent Rs 1 crore and changed the look of the school which was in a dilapidated condition earlier. The NRI has constructed this school in the memory of his grandmother.

The entry of the school has been given a heritage look. At the entrance, a palace like structure welcomes one to the sprawling area of the institution.

The beautification of the school has been done, earlier there were four rooms and now there are six for over 100 students. There are four well-maintained toilets for girls, boys and staff members.

The school now has a library, the latest infrastructure, and what not. The construction of the new building started about two years ago and since then the students had been studying in two rooms.

Jasbir Singh, officiating head teacher of the school, said the school had become a cynosure of all eyes. “Our strength has increased. The parents from the nearby villages also approach us to get their wards admitted,” he said.

The school has two permanent staff members and one on deputation.

Recently, the District Education Officer also visited the school and appreciated the work done by the NRI.

Building with heritage look

The entry of the school has been given a heritage look. At the entrance, a palace like structure welcomes one to the sprawling area of the institution. The beautification of the school has been done, earlier there were four rooms and now there are six for over 100 students. There are four well-maintained toilets for girls, boys and staff members.