In Gurugram, where the Education Department had sought details of schools’ furniture requirements several months ago, the process of addressing the shortage remains a concern. The required information from schools has yet to reach the department, delaying efforts to assess the need and improve seating arrangements.
The issue has gained importance following the identification of around 3.80 lakh children studying while sitting on the floor in approximately 14,000 government schools across Haryana. The state government had announced plans to free schools from the use of tat-pattis, or floor mats used by students for seating, but delays in purchasing and supplying desks have left children waiting for better classroom facilities.
Gurugram has around 550 government schools, including approximately 350 primary schools. To address the shortage of dual desks, the Education Department asked schools to submit details of student enrolment and the condition of existing furniture. Schools subsequently recorded their requirements on the department’s portal.
The assessment is intended to consider not only the number of students but also the availability of furniture that is old or damaged. The department has assessed the need to provide new desks to schools facing shortages and replace furniture that is no longer in suitable condition. Ensuring adequate seating across the district’s extensive government school network remains an important part of addressing the problem.
Haryana Plans to Purchase 1.90 Lakh Dual Desks
The Haryana government has approved around Rs 200 crore for the purchase of approximately 1.90 lakh dual desks to improve seating facilities for students in government schools. The state-level assessment has identified around 3.80 lakh children in approximately 14,000 schools who are studying while sitting on the floor.
On August 25, the Haryana government stated that the procurement process for dual desks in government schools had been expedited. The target was to make desks available in all identified schools by November 2026. A survey of school infrastructure had also been conducted to determine requirements and organise the distribution according to the needs of different districts.
However, the approval and procurement plan will provide relief only when the desks are delivered to the schools that need them. With October nearing its end, the progress of purchasing, supplying and distributing the furniture will be crucial in determining whether students receive the desks in November as targeted.
Winter Deadline Raises Concerns Over Timely Supply
The approaching winter has added urgency to the issue, particularly for students who currently lack adequate seating arrangements. Although the morning and evening chill has not yet fully set in, temperatures are expected to decline as November approaches, making classroom conditions more difficult for children sitting on cold floors.
If procurement, supply and distribution advance during the remaining days of October, students could begin receiving relief in November. However, any further delay in delivering the desks could prolong the difficulties faced by children in schools where sufficient furniture is unavailable.
The key challenge for the state now is to translate the approved purchase plan into timely delivery at the school level. Until the desks reach the intended classrooms, students affected by the shortage will continue to wait for the improved seating arrangements promised under the government’s plan.
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