Play grounds construction delay at state schools

• Only 20 completed out of 187
• Had to complete in May 2017

Srikakulam: Construction of play grounds at government high schools in the district has been delaying for the last one year. With an aim to provide play grounds for over all development of the school children government decided to construct these grounds under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). Both education department and Sarva Siksha Abhiyaan officials have to look after the construction of play grounds in coordination with District Water Resources Management Agency (DWMA) which is the nodal agency for implementation of MGNREGS works at district level.  For each play ground at each high school government allotted Rs 5 lakh funds.

Out of total 398 government high schools in the district proposals for construction of play grounds prepared at 187 schools of it 108 were approved by the officials concerned and works started with an estimated cost of Rs 3.22 crore. Of it only 20 completed so far and Rs 34.57 lakh spent and works are in progress at 74 schools with an estimated cost of Rs 53.05 lakh. 

As per guidelines of the government concerned high school head masters have to motivate local contractors for construction of play grounds. But most of the contractors are not coming forward in villages where high schools are located. ‘We are motivating local schools head masters and contractors to finish works’ DMWA project director, Hanumanthu Kurma Rao explained.

This year we are going to take up play ground works at 150 government high schools alone as government handed over the works absolutely to our department said SSA project officer, S.Trinadha Rao. These 150 play grounds are new and in addition to sanctioned grounds at 187 schools he elaborated.