Jhargram, 12 March (H.S.): The West Bengal education department has sanctioned funds for the construction of modern laboratories in 12 schools in Jhargram district despite an acute shortage of teachers in several institutions, officials said on Thursday.

According to sources, laboratory buildings and equipment will be developed in schools including Lalgarh Ramakrishna Vidyalaya, Banspahari KPSC High School, Chhatinashol SC High School, Tapasia Vidyasagar Shikshayatan, Chandri Chandrashekhar High School, Chichira High School and Nayagram Thana Balika Vidyalaya.

In most of these schools, around Rs 12.5 lakh has been approved for constructing laboratory buildings. Meanwhile, Netai High School, Metal High School, Manikpara Vivekananda Vidyapith, Bardanga Shivaji Junior High School and a government model school in Gopiballavpur-I will receive around Rs 16.22 lakh each for laboratory buildings and equipment.

Officials said the laboratories will include facilities for physics, chemistry, biology and geography.

However, the move has also highlighted the shortage of teachers in several schools. At Netai High School, 53 students appeared for the Madhyamik examination this year, but the institution does not have teachers for biology and physics.

Teacher-in-charge Debashish Giri said modern laboratories are important for students’ education, but the school currently has only five teachers against the required 13.

District Inspector of Schools (Secondary) Jagabandhu Banerjee said nearly Rs 1.68 crore has been sanctioned for the project.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey