– Ronita Torcato 

Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed planning committees to rope in various agencies for developing infrastructure in all government-run schools in the state.

At a cabinet meeting held at Mantralaya, Fadnavis discussed various issues with school education minister Dadaji Bhuse and stressed the necessity for “top quality educational environment to encourage parents to admit their children in government schools.” 

Therefore, quality infrastructure should be developed in schools run by zilla parishads, municipalities and other government agencies through institutions like the District Planning Committees, he said.

The guardian minister and district collector of the concerned districts should focus on implementing schools infra, apart from the Maharashtra Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, District Minor Mineral Foundation Fund, and Jal Jeevan Mission, the chief minister said.

Elaborating, the chief minister said that facilities should include safe fencing of schools, clean drinking water (with RO/UVUF system), toilets, construction and repair of school buildings, a ‘Pink Room’ with hygienic facilities for girl students, as well as preparatory activities for JEE and NEET exams. 

“These facilities can be effectively planned with funds reserved for the School Education and Sports Department and the Women and Child Development Department, from the Distyrict Planning Fund and other funds for innovative initiatives,” he added.

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