This is the sad state of a Delhi government school in Jafrabad — Zeenat Mahal Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya (SKV). Many more government schools in the city share the same state of infrastructure and facilities.

In order to make the decrepit school buildings look better and provide a better learning environment for government school students, the Delhi government launched a project last year — Project Roopantar— to upgrade the infrastructure and install fire safety measures in 198 government school buildings.

The schools were identified after a survey of three city districts — East, Northeast and Northwest. Zeenat Mahal SKV in Zone V was one of the 198 schools marked out for a facelift. So far, no work has started.

Out of a total of 198 identified buildings, work on only five schools has finished so far.

“My primary concern is now the safety of the children; education has become secondary here,” the principal of Zeenat Mahal SKV, Raziya Begum, said. “With the monsoon hitting Delhi, where will my children sit?” she asks, pointing towards the ceiling of the single-storey building that houses some of the classrooms, where the tin roof is missing.

Project Roopantar includes construction of classrooms, toilet blocks, repair of boundary walls, replacing black boards with green boards, removal of asbestos sheets and installation of fire-safety measures in the school buildings that were in immediate need of renovation.

“Enrollment has increased at our school and we need more classrooms. When the school re-opens, students will have to sit on the ground,” Raziya Begum said. The school has been demanding construction and renovation of the school buildings keeping in view the increased intake of students.

While the deadline for “Roopantar” is March 2010, the Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC), the agency entrusted with the project by the Directorate of Education (DoE), said it might get extended to August 2010. DSIISDC Chief Engineer R K Gupta admitted the tendering process is taking time, which in turn is delaying construction work.

“Every school is a project in itself. Also, the areas where the schools are located are unplanned, so that too is delaying work,” Gupta told Newsline. “Work on all schools will be completed by July or August 2010.”

However, according to DoE officials, the number of schools where tenders have been invited is 91, while the process is yet to begin for 56 schools. Going by the numbers, the project is well behind schedule.

While DoE officials added that work is in progress at 39 schools, there are differing views regarding the number of schools where work has been finished. DoE officials put the number at five, while DSIIDC officials claim 10 schools have already been renovated. A list of the completed schools (of which Newsline has a copy) puts the number at nine.

In addition, the Public Works Department, which was to install fire safety equipment in the school buildings, has also been blamed for failing to undertake work.

The project was also slated to beautify entrances to the schools and also improve the laboratories and libraries. “Students need an atmosphere conducive to learning. How can they focus on their studies while facing discomfort like the heat and leaking roofs?” Raziya Begum asked. “The work should begin now that they have the funds.”

Rs 285 crore was allocated for the project.