Jalandhar: After two years, primary school will get security wall

Jalandhar: After a long wait of two years, the construction of boundary wall has finally begun at Government Primary School (GPS) Bara Jodh Singh in Lohian. It has been a challenging time for both teachers and students who have continued their studies in an unsafe environment. During this time, students were going to school without any safety measures. During the 2023 floods, many schools had suffered extensive damage, including collapse of boundary walls. Government Primary School (GPS), Bara Jodh Singh, was one of the affected schools and the fallen bricks remained intact for a long time. For two years, teachers taught students in these unsafe conditions and it became difficult for parents to send their children to school in such an environment. However, the school has now received a grant of Rs 8.50 lakh to construct a 170-metre long boundary wall, which is expected to be completed in the next 15 days. The school is located in a remote area near the highway. The Tribune had visited the school last year when stray dogs were roaming around in the school premises. According to school authorities, there are currently 15 students enrolled, and stray cattle also roam around the school premises, causing additional problems. Teachers are constantly monitoring the footage from CCTV cameras to ensure that no unauthorised person enters the premises. The mother of Hargun, a class five student at the school, had earlier expressed concern about sending her daughter to a school without a boundary wall. “I also raised the issue with the school authorities. I really hope the authorities will address this situation,” she had told the Tribune earlier. Today, when contacted, she expressed relief that the boundary wall is finally being constructed. “Two of my children study in the school, and now that the school principal has received the grant, everyone will be safe,” she said. Teacher Anju said that despite not having a boundary wall, she ensured the safety of the students by regularly monitoring CCTV footage and keeping them in locked classrooms. “Parents are not worried now,” she said. According to information, a government secondary school used to operate in the same premises but it was closed a few years ago.