Gurez (Bandipora), Sep 16: Mocking at the tall claims of the State Government regarding infrastructure development in Higher Education sector, the Government Degree College Gurez in Bandipora district is functioning from the temporary pre-fabricated sheds.
According to the students and staff, they are facing immense hardships due to the lack of proper infrastructure. “The educational institution was established by the Government in the year 2007 and started functioning in these pre-fabricated sheds constructed on the erstwhile playing field. The authorities acquired land for construction of the college building and started the work on it. However, the construction is going on at snail’s pace,” the locals told Greater Kashmir. They said that they repeatedly urged the senior functionaries in the district administration to expedite the work, but to no avail. “The Government has failed to construct the new concrete structure for the college within the stipulated time,” the locals told Greater Kashmir.
Both the students and the staff rue the poor infrastructure including lack of space for holding classes. “Five years after the college was established, the college infrastructure is yet to be developed,” the employees in the college told Greater Kashmir.
They said that due to the paucity of space, the students jostle in classrooms and feel suffocated. “The students suffer immensely particularly during the summer, when the mercury soars up,” the employees said.
They said the indifference on part of Higher Education Department towards the issue speak volumes about the government’s non-seriousness in developing the sector in valley.
The College, according to the locals, also lacks Commerce, Medical and Non-Medical streams. “The students aspiring to study these courses have to seek admission in educational institutions located far away from the home,” the locals said adding that the students have to shelve huge amount during their studies at these colleges.
“The government should introduce fresh streams in the college for the betterment of the students,” the locals said.
The students said that the college also lacks full- fledged library. “Though there are few books available in the college, but there is no library,” said a student.
The locals sought the intervention of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah and Higher Education Minister, Abdul Gani Malik in this regard.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 16 Sep 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 16 Sep 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 17 Sep 2012 00:00:00 IST