New Delhi: On Thursday, Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood conducted an inspection of two government schools in the Shakur Basti Assembly constituency, prompting him to direct officials to launch a vigilance inquiry into the deteriorating conditions of the swimming pools at these institutions.
Accompanied by local MLA Karnail Singh, the Director of Education, and officials from the Public Works Department (PWD), Sood visited the Sarvodaya Co-educational School in Saraswati Vihar and the Government Senior Secondary School in Rani Bagh, as detailed in an official statement.
During the inspection, Sood emphasized that these visits are part of a routine review process initiated by the government in response to complaints from MLAs. “We are committed to taking corrective action wherever deficiencies are identified and are issuing necessary instructions to the relevant departments,” he stated.
The minister noted that the swimming pools at both schools, constructed in 2018 at a cost of Rs 2.5 crore each, have never been operational. “There is inadequate water supply, and the quality of construction appears to be substandard,” he remarked, pointing out that the flooring of the pool at Rani Bagh is crumbling and tiles are coming loose.
दिल्ली में शिक्षा की गुणवत्ता को बेहतर बनाना और छात्रों को समग्र सुविधाएं उपलब्ध कराना हमारी सर्वोच्च प्राथमिकता है।
— Ashish Sood (@ashishsood_bjp) May 22, 2025
इसी दिशा में आज दिल्ली की शकरबस्ती विधानसभा क्षेत्र के स्कूलों का दौरा कर परिसर, कक्षाओं, खेल सुविधाओं और स्विमिंग पूल का निरीक्षण किया गया।
निरीक्षण के दौरान… pic.twitter.com/8GLi2WSuhj
In light of these findings, Sood instructed the Director of Education to initiate a thorough investigation and ordered a vigilance and departmental inquiry into the PWD engineers responsible for the project. “Such negligence is unacceptable,” he asserted.
Criticizing the previous administration, Sood attributed the lack of maintenance in government schools to years of mismanagement. “The former government misled the public with advertisements showcasing a select few schools while neglecting the true condition of the majority of institutions,” he said.
Sood also highlighted the current government’s commitment to education, noting that the education budget has been increased by over 19 percent this year, amounting to Rs 19,291 crore.
The minister has instructed officials to install air conditioning units in the multipurpose halls of the inspected schools and to ensure that cleanliness, access to drinking water, electricity, and safety measures—especially for female students—are prioritized. “The Rani Bagh school building is nearly four decades old, and we will prepare a plan for its reconstruction,” he stated.
During his visit, Sood engaged with students to learn about their educational experiences and future aspirations. Many students expressed gratitude for the quality of education provided by the Delhi government, with several aspiring to become doctors, engineers, and civil servants.
He also commended the reforms in the education sector implemented under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. “Today, access to higher education is determined solely by merit through transparent entrance exams like CUET and NEET, rather than by influence or donations,” he remarked.
Sood emphasized that these initiatives will not only strengthen Delhi’s education system but also position the capital as a leading educational hub in the country.
