Lok Satta demonstrates It is different

“It doesn’t matter which party comes to power. Our school continues to be in a pitiable condition.”

It was this remark of a woman attendant of the Government Primary School at Hydernagar in Serilingampalli Assembly constituency that inspired the Lok Satta to take up its renovation as a challenge. The attendant, Prameela, had remarked that she had seen politicians belonging to all hues visiting the school and promising its improvement.

The Lok Satta Party workers led by Mr. Katari Srinivasa Rao collected donations of Rs.60,000 and completed renovation by putting in 100 mandays of ‘shramdan’ in the last one month.

The parents and students celebrated the school renovation by inviting Lok Satta President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan as their chief guest today.

Dr. JP recalled the Lok Satta activists had visited the school as part of a survey to assess the condition of schools before they opened for the new academic year. He said that if every rupee of the Rs.25 crore the Government spends on schools in Greater Hyderabad is utilized properly, amenities could be provided in all schools in five years. Of the 18 lakh students in Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts, two-thirds go to private schools because the Government schools are devoid of facilities. In the Hydernagar school for instance, there is only one teacher and six volunteers for 250 students.

Dr. JP said traditional parties are not interested in making people self-reliant by providing them good education. “Politics won’t change as long as people exchange their votes for money. And there won’t be any improvement in your lives so long as politics do not change. Think of the future of your children before you cast your vote.”

Dr. JP also visited the ZP High School at Nizampet whose land has been occupied by some people with politicians’ blessings.