Feb 15 Set As Deadline for Functional Girls’ Toilets in All J&K Govt Schools – Alfaaz – The Words

Jammu: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Monday set February 15 as the deadline to ensure fully functional toilet facilities for girl students in all government schools across Jammu and Kashmir.

Reviewing the status of sanitation infrastructure, the Chief Secretary stressed that access to clean and operational toilets is essential for attendance, retention, and dignity of students. He said construction alone is not enough and directed departments to ensure water supply and allied utilities in all existing facilities.

The review covered toilets constructed, those under execution, and their functional status. Dulloo directed that all ongoing works related to construction and upgradation of girls’ toilets be completed by February 15. He also asked the School Education Department to make all already constructed toilets fully operational well before the deadline.

To speed up implementation, the Chief Secretary ordered the formation of zone level committees with officers from the School Education Department and the Roads and Buildings Department. These teams will jointly inspect schools, identify gaps, and oversee repairs and upgrades.

Additional Chief Secretary, PWD, Anil Kumar Singh said the department will complete all assigned works within the timeline. He added that prefabricated toilet units will be installed where conventional construction is not feasible within the deadline.

Secretary, School Education Department, Ram Niwas Sharma informed that out of 18,724 government schools in the Union Territory, 18,023 schools have toilet facilities. He said 17,403 schools have separate toilets for girls, while 1,321 schools currently lack such facilities.

He added that construction of 265 girls’ toilets is underway and the remaining 1,056 schools are being covered in a time bound manner. The works will be completed before the start of the academic session in winter zone areas and by February 15 in summer zone schools.