611 Schools Have No Buildings; Rajasthan Government Finally Admits Poor Condition of Schools in the State

Jaipur: The Rajasthan government has acknowledged the poor condition of government schools in the state, admitting in the Legislative Assembly that 611 schools do not have buildings of their own. The figures highlight the denial of even basic facilities to students.

The disclosure came days after BJP workers attacked activists of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) who had arrived in Jaipur for an inspection as part of the ‘School Thik Karo’ campaign. The government was required to provide the figures after visuals of the attack emerged.

Of the 611 schools without their own buildings, 10 are girls’ schools. The figures were revealed in response to a question raised by Leader of the Opposition Tika Ram Jully.

Meanwhile, the BJP and Congress have been trading blame over the lack of basic infrastructure in the state’s education system. The BJP has attributed the poor condition of schools to the previous Congress government led by Ashok Gehlot, while the Congress has blamed the BJP government’s administrative failures.

CJP co-convener Ashutosh Ranka and others were attacked when they visited a school operating from a buffalo shed in Rampur village in Jaipur. BJP workers allegedly stopped Ranka and his team and attacked them, including women. Several CJP workers were injured. Ranka’s clothes were torn, a worker named Salman was dragged and beaten, and the windows of cars used by the CJP activists were smashed. Their mobile phones were also damaged.

The Rajasthan Police had reportedly been informed about the planned school visit and the possibility of a confrontation, but no measures were taken to prevent the attack. Education Minister Madan Dilawar responded to the incident by saying that schools should not be politicised. On August 16, the Rajasthan Education Department had also issued an order restricting outsiders from entering government schools without permission. The move came after the CJP announced plans to visit government schools.

Ashutosh Ranka alleged that the attack was carried out at the direction of Minister Madan Dilawar. He claimed that those who led the attack were not local residents but BJP workers brought from outside, and alleged that a local BJP leader had paid the attackers. Ranka said the CJP had visited the school following requests from local residents. The SFI condemned the attack.

Meanwhie, CJP convener Abhijeet Dipke said that if legal action is not taken against the BJP workers involved in the attack within 48 hours, the organisation would reach Jaipur and launch a protest in front of the school along the lines of the agitation at Jantar Mantar.

The CJP also demanded immediate steps to address the poor condition of the school.