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.

... contd.