Govt school takes a step towards innovation

A futuristic vision and sincere efforts by the principal of a government school coupled with support of non-resident Indians (NRIs) has turned this school at Jandiala Manjki village into an example to emulate for others.

The school that boasts of an ultra-modern infrastructure also has its own solar power plant. Contrary to the "sorry state of affairs" in which other schools of the area are, government girls senior secondary school, which has been constructed on more than 5 acres has around 35 rooms, including a library, labs, art and craft room, Edusat computer lab and classrooms, educating more than 700 students.

The school has come up with ideas for preserving environment through eco-friendly innovative techniques, including setting up of a solar power plant, a water recharge unit and eco-friendly auditorium.

Using renewable sources of energy, the school has installed a 5 kilowatt solar power project, which meets its 80% electricity requirement. A 25-panel solar power plant was installed in 2011 while another 32-panel system has been installed in 2013.

Recently, the school got an eco-friendly auditorium constructed at a cost of Rs 80 lakh from donation made by NRI Asa Singh Johal. It has used modern technology of ventilating with ventilators that rotate with air pressure without any use of electricity. The school also has installed a water recharge unit without spending money. A special team sent by the Centre to survey a school each from the urban and rural areas from all the districts has remarked that this school in rural area has facilities comparing to institutions in the urban area and also appreciated the maintenance of school premises.

Five students of this school, who scored more than 80% marks in matric, have been selected under the Dr Hargobind Khorana scholarship scheme. The school also has a library guidance and counselling corner where the staff bring unused books from their homes and put them there for students' use.

Expressing gratitude towards the donors, principal Jit Singh Singh said the school had received Rs 1.35 crore from NRIs, including Canada-based Asa Singh Johal, Avtar Singh, Jandiala Sports Club, Sartaj Singh and England-based Kulwinder Singh, Paviter Singh and Avtar Singh.