More than 15 thousand children of government schools in Faridabad, Haryana have still not received dual desks. According to the Chief Minister's announcement, the desks were to be delivered from November 1, but the procurement process is still stuck in the tender. Children's problems may increase further as the cold increases.
Faridabad: Thousands of children of government schools in Faridabad district of Haryana may have to study sitting on the ground this winter too. Many schools in the district do not have dual desks according to the number of children. The situation is such that even today more than 15 thousand students sit on sackcloth. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini had announced to supply desks to schools from November 1, but even till November 10, their supply has not started in many schools.
Chief Minister had promised to provide desk from November
Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, during his budget speech on March 2, had announced to improve the seating arrangements of children in government schools. Under this, dual desks were to be delivered to schools from November 1.
According to the plan, the process of purchasing the desks was to be completed in October, but even after the beginning of the second week of November, the matter has not progressed beyond the tender process.
This delay is directly impacting those children who do not have enough furniture to sit in their schools. Teachers and parents want desks to be made available in schools before the onset of winter.
About one lakh students study in 378 government schools
There are a total of 378 government primary, higher and senior secondary schools in Faridabad and Ballabhgarh division. In these, about one lakh students study from Kindergarten to twelfth class.
Of these, more than 15 thousand children are facing lack of dual desk. Especially in schools in rural areas, furniture is not available according to the number of children.
In many classes, children study wearing sackcloth. Somehow studies go on in summer, but in winter it can be difficult to sit for many hours on the cold floor.
The problem is not only with the desk. Windows and doors are also broken in some schools. Children may face further problems due to cold air coming into such rooms.
Lack of desks in many schools from Mujesar to Saran
Many government schools in Faridabad do not have adequate arrangements to accommodate children. In Government Primary School Mujesar and Government Girls Primary School Old Faridabad, there are less desks in comparison to the number of students.
Apart from this, the same problem is also there in Government Primary School located in New Janata Colony and Government Model Sanskriti Primary School in Saran.
Even in the government schools of Jharsetli and Fatehpur Billouch, dual desks are not available according to the number of children.
Students studying in these schools are forced to sit on the ground. Now with the onset of winter, lack of furniture in schools has again become a matter of concern.
New dual desk not purchased for two years
Lack of desks in government schools is not a new problem. Budget was made available for purchasing furniture in the year 2023. After this, neither new funds were released in 2024 and 2025 nor desks were sent by the Directorate.
According to school heads, three years ago the cost of a dual desk was around Rs 6600. At that time, the school management committee and the school head used to buy desks as per the need.
In April this year, the Education Department had sought information related to the requirement of furniture from schools. For this, schools had to fill prescribed forms and send them.
The schools provided information as per their requirement, but no clear date has been revealed as to when the desks will reach.
Lack of rooms and watchmen also became a big problem
Chatar Singh, district head of Haryana Primary Teacher Association, said that many government schools do not have enough rooms to keep furniture.
According to him, some school heads return the budget received for purchasing desks for this very reason. If the desks are not kept safe after purchasing them, the responsibility may fall on the school head.
Shortage of watchmen in schools has also come to light. Chatar Singh says that due to lack of security in many places, there is a risk of furniture theft.
In such a situation, merely releasing the budget is not enough. Arrangements for space for keeping desks and their security are also necessary in schools.
Hoping to get a desk before winter sets in
With the onset of November, the coldness in the morning and evening has started increasing in Faridabad. In the coming days, if the temperature falls further, the problems of students studying sitting on the floor may increase.
For better studies in government schools, it is important for children to have proper seating facilities. By removing the shortage of desks, students will get relief from the trouble of sitting with a knapsack every day.
At present it is not clear when the tender process will be completed and when new desks will reach the schools. Now teachers and parents expect quick action from the education department.