Sports in govt schools in a mess: UT report

Out of 70 schools inspected, only two met standards

IT'S OFFICIAL now. The sports infrastructure in government schools in the city is in a shambles. UT Assistant Director, Sports (Education), K.S. Bharti, who has prepared a report on sports infrastructure and its maintenance in the schools, has submitted that the infrastructure is in a complete mess in a majority of the schools. DPI (Schools) S.K. Setia had appointed Bharti to inspect all government schools under the UT administration for the upkeep of sports infrastructure after Hindustan Times highlighted how the set-up was gathering dust.
According to the findings of the report submitted today, out of 70 schools inspected, only two--Government Model Senior Secondary School-35 and Government Model Senior Secondary School-37--met the desired standards.
The report said the infrastructure available with a majority of the government schools was not at all maintained. In some schools, grounds are being used for dumping construction and waste material. Some schools don't even have PTIs/DPEs, while in others DPEs are entrusted with responsibilities other than sports.
Schools like Government Model Senior Secondary School-10 and Government Senior Secondary School, Dhanas, are using the ground for dumping waste material.
Referring to the sports stock, the report says: "In most of the schools, sports equipment are not being utilised and are dumped in stores." It also states that some schools have equipment for those games for which they don't have the infrastructure. Other schools have equipment for hockey and gymnastics, although they don't have the infrastructure for these games.
"I have gone through the report and its findings are not at all pleasing. Official letters will be issued to all the school principals, who will be instructed to start making efforts at the earliest for the maintenance of sports infrastructure. We are ready to help them in every respect," said DPI (Schools) S.K Setia.
To a question whether action will be taken against those schools which do not comply with the instructions, the DPI said strict action would be taken against all those who fail to do so. "Moreover, we have already instructed the government schools to bring their playgrounds back in shape and make them available for the students during vacations," said Setia.
"I personally visited each and every school. There is no sports environment in almost all government schools, and the high schools are even worse. In my report I have listed out my findings and suggestions. Schools have funds at their disposal, yet they never utilise them, which is hard to understand," said Assistant Director, Sports (Education), K.S Bharti.
"We will inspect all the schools again after the summer vacation to check whether there has been any positive development or not," he added.
Official recommendations ¦ All schools should take help of Horticulture Depart ment for maintenance of their grounds. ¦ Principals should be allowed to spend up to Rs 15,000 for purchase of sports equipment. ¦ To encourage principals to maintain sports infra structure, a cash award should be given to the best maintained ground.