New Delhi: Amid growing concerns over infrastructure and safety in govt schools, a survey done by Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has found than more than half of the 1,460 school buildings surveyed, more than half require repairs. The survey says that 250 buildings require major renovation, while 600 require minor repairs.The survey, carried out in the last week of Aug, assessed building infrastructure, boundary walls, gates, toilets, drinking water facilities, cleanliness, furniture, electrical and fire safety systems, first-aid facilities and other basic amenities.To ensure impartiality, MCD adopted a cross-zone inspection mechanism under which principals and heads of schools from different zones inspected schools outside their jurisdiction. Officials said the exercise was intended to provide an independent assessment while encouraging the sharing of best practices.“The inspection, however, went beyond physical infrastructure. It also assessed teaching-learning practices, student attendance and learning outcomes, implementation of foundational literacy and numeracy programmes, cleanliness, safety and co-curricular activities,” an official said.The survey also found that infrastructure linked to main gates and boundary walls at 50 schools requires major intervention, while more than 300 schools need minor repairs. Toilet facilities at 112 schools were found to be in poor condition and in need of significant improvement.A digital inspection report and a dashboard have been developed to consolidate findings and help monitor follow-up action across schools and zones. “The system would allow the education department to review findings across schools and zones, identify priority areas and monitor action,” the official said.The exercise has also been linked to an action-taken report mechanism, with zonal heads directed to submit updates on measures taken to address identified deficiencies. Safety-related concerns, particularly dangerous or dilapidated structures, have been prioritised.MCD commissioner Sanjeev Khirwar has directed the engineering department to address the infrastructure gaps identified during the survey.“We have certain lapses but efforts are being made to fix them on priority with the help of other departments, including engineering,” another official said.
