Delhi's Education Minister Champions Quality Education Amidst Political Turbulence

Delhi Education Minister Atishi expressed hope for Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's release from jail and highlighted new initiatives for education in Maidangarhi. She inaugurated a new academic block and announced plans for another. She also discussed challenges like waterlogging near the Zakhira Railway Underpass.

Delhi Education Minister Atishi on Wednesday expressed optimism about Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's early release from jail, thanks to the blessings of Delhi's residents. Atishi was in Maidangarhi village in South Delhi to inaugurate a four-storey building at the Government Co-Ed Secondary School.

During the event, she announced the government's plan to construct another academic block in the area to ensure quality education for children lacking proper facilities. ''The women of Delhi have prayed and fasted for his (Kejriwal) release. With their blessings, he will soon be out of jail and will lay the foundation stone for the new academic block,'' she said.

Kejriwal is currently in Tihar jail in connection with a corruption case linked to the alleged excise policy scam being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Atishi highlighted that the newly inaugurated building will benefit thousands of children from Maidangarhi, Rajpur, Chhattarpur, Neb Sarai, and nearby areas. Due to high student pressure, the school previously operated in two shifts; the new facility will allow it to run in a single shift. This new school block features state-of-the-art labs, a library, and smart classrooms.

She further noted that the budget for teachers' training has been increased tenfold to Rs 100 crores, and 38 Schools of Specialised Excellence have been established in recent years to provide quality education. On another note, Atishi addressed the severe waterlogging issue near the Zakhira Railway Underpass in West Delhi, attributing it to the lack of a proper drainage system on railway land. Despite the Delhi government's funding and repeated talks with the railways, no resolution has been reached. She has written to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, urging a swift solution.