Swings, see-saws to be installed in state-run primary schools

State Education Minister Partha Chatterjee made the announcement in the Assembly on Monday. The initiative has been taken to give opportunity to the students to have healthy physical activity, besides studying at the primary level.

It has been found that many students at the primary level tend to become obsessed about studies, as a result of which they do not participate actively in sports. The step taken by the state education department could help in promoting physical fitness among the students. The announcement by the Education Minister has been welcomed by many primary school teachers as well as parents of the students. 

Facilities like swing sets and see-saws, which are usually available in private schools, will now be present in state-run primary schools as well. The move will encourage students to indulge more in physical activity during recess and also to be present in schools on all the working days.

Those schools which have their own playground may apply to get swings and see-saws and the education department will take necessary steps on an immediate basis. The education department has already started the process of procuring swings.

It may be mentioned that the education department had given shoes to the students of state-run primary schools, after being directed by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. On the way to Mati Utsav in Burdwan, Banerjee had seen from her car that some students were returning from school without shoes. After seeing this, she talked to the state Education Minister Partha Chatterjee over phone from the spot and enquired about the project under which students of all state-run primary schools were supposed to get shoes.

In the past five years, the state government has taken several steps to improve the basic infrastructure of the school buildings, besides giving stress on improving the quality of education in state-run schools. Around 35,940 toilets were constructed in schools in the past four 

years, of which around 9,246 are boys’ toilet and 26,294 are for girls.

Moreover, steps have also been taken to ensure cleanliness in schools, proper distribution of mid-day meals and cleanliness of students’ school uniform. A team will be formed which will visit the schools in the state for inspection to ensure the same.

On Monday, Chatterjee further said that the state government is going to take a decision on the formation of a central commission for the recruitment of non-teaching staff. At the same time, the education department is ready to publish the result of the teachers eligibility test (TET) examination, 

but are waiting for the permission of the Calcutta high court.