Shri Ranbir School’s Kinder Garden cries for help?
Arfat Khan
Jammu: ‘Kinder Garden’ which was opened in the Shri Ranbir Higher Secondary school premises almost 3 years back as an innovative measure and has earned accolades from all quarters for excellence in providing quality education to the toddlers of surrounding areas is today fearing the axe of shutting down.
If sources are to believed, there are constant efforts from certain quarters to sideline and kicked out KG from the four walls of SRML School premises, alleged a senior official of SAMAGRA preferring anonymity.
The details of misuse of funds meant for opening of KG classes and apathetic attitude of school’s principals which were chosen for opening of Kinder Garden is all together a scandal under carpet in School Education, added SAMAGRA sources.
Nearly 50 schools with five in every district were selected for opening of KG in Jammu division and funds to the tune of Rs 4 lakh each was sanctioned for its establishment.
As pilot project in Jammu district only five government schools which include Wazarat Khazaba, Nawabad, Canal Road, Pargwal and SRML were identified for institution of KG classes.
It’s worth to mention here that since its inception SRML’s Kinder Garden is adjudged as best in entire Jammu division.
Insiders revealed that almost two months ago an amount of 4 lakh each was sanctioned by SMAGRA department for development and expansion of KGs in five government schools of Jammu province.
While, this amount is rightly being used purely for the purpose it was sanctioned, however in SRML School this fund was allegedly diverted for other school constructions which have nothing to do with the development of Kinder Garden.
JKGN team visited the school premises and found good class rooms with required furniture and wall painting in good excellent condition for toddlers. However, there was no presence of any play garden with requisite play instruments like slide, baby swings, swing, seesaw, multi-play station etc. Even modern class rooms gadgets like LCD projector was conspicuous by its absence.
“Modern teaching gadgets are need of the hour and what a KG looks without play-way instruments for kids” asserted a senior school teacher preferring anonymity. The Government should institute a high level enquiry committee to look into the diversion of funds which was sanctioned only for KG up-gradation in SRML school” added sources.
Refuting allegations of funds diversion, Shafqat Chib, Principal SRMHS school said “There are no plans to oust KG from school premises adding that SMAGRA officials are looking after the utilization of funds sanctioned for Kinder Garden and she have nothing to do with it.
On being contacted, H.Pandita XEN SAMAGRA said “We received instructions from school Principal Shafqat Chib for construction of one bathroom and wall painting for utilization of 4 lakh funds meant for KG. When asked bathrooms already existed for KG students, he added “I am aware of it but we only execute plans submitted by the head of school”