All govt schools in Delhi to get water connections by October 2

All government schools in the national capital will get high quality water connections by October 2.

Delhi Jal Board (DJB) Chairman Kapil Mishra has directed officials to ensure quality water connections are provided to at all government schools by October 2 as a mark of respect to the the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi.

According to senior officials, there are many schools which lack basic facilities including water connection. Officials claim that the Department of Education has been asked to prepare and submit a list of the schools without water connections.

"Education department will make an elaborate list of requirement and list of the schools will be shared with Delhi Jal Board and PWD by August 16 for execution of work. DJB will expedite the process after the list is submitted," a senior official said. Government claims this move is a step towards making government schools at par with private ones.

"We have to provide the fundamental right to water to all our school children along with the Right to Education. DJB will ensure that our children's lives are improved by the government. I have asked a similar list from all MCD schools as well so that no child suffers on account of water scarcity or poor sanitation in Delhi," Mishra said.

According to an official, a report by Pune-based non-profit organisation Pratham had pointed out that 6.7 per cent of children in Delhi drop out of school. The issue of out-of-school children is concentrated in pockets, with more than 25 per cent children out of school in some localities. Further, there are problems of electricity and water in each and every school.

"It is necessary for the government to ensure that basic infrastructure, services and amenities are provided to every school. Government is committed towards state provision of equitable access to quality education to every child in Delhi," official said.