Girls’ school facing dearth of teachers, facilities in Gujranwala

School lacks chemistry, physics and biology laboratories

GUJRANWALA:  

The Hakim Bibi Government Girls’ High School, which is located in Gujranwala City, is buckling under the weight of its problems. The school has been neglected by the authorities concerned. Tall claims made by the government regarding improving infrastructure at government institutions appear to have fallen flat as the school remains dilapidated and without basic facilities.

A survey by Express News showed that the school, which was established in 1967, is situated on nine marlas. At least 640 students are enrolled at the institution. However, it lacks proper classrooms to accommodate the students.

Further, the school management has failed to hire teachers to teach science and math to 243 students belonging to grade nine and 10. In addition to this, the school lacks laboratories for chemistry, physics and biology; this has resulted in students being unable to carry out practical work. Because of this, majority of the students have to pay additional money for after school tutoring.

Meanwhile, not a single classroom is clean or safe. Students are forced to study in deplorable conditions since the institution lacks basic facilities.

The school’s state of affairs is poor and has not improved for years. The school lacks washrooms, classes, furniture and other basic facilities. However, their woes are not limited to the lack of basic facilities. The classrooms where the students study have cracked walls.

Students and teachers have urged the government to address these issues but to no avail. They have been protesting against the school’s state of affairs and have urged the education department and the Punjab chief minister to take notice of the matter.

Speaking to Express News, Principal Saima Batool said, “We have informed the education department about the dearth of teachers and the unavailability of labs. Hopefully, the matter will be resolved soon,” she added.

“Despite the lack of teachers, two students from the arts group achieved first and second position in the board examinations this year,” she maintained.