Nagpur: Despite tall claims by the government regarding upgrading schools and the education system in the state, the ground reality is completely different. This was highlighted once again on Monday, when state education minister Vinod Tawde admitted in the state legislature that 5,808 schools, which even receive government aid, don’t have electricity connection.

The BJP-led government had campaigned that electricity would reach each village. However, 5,808 schools still do not have power and thousands lack drinking water facilities and separate toilets for girls.

Although Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders had raised these issues in the legislature while in opposition, the BJP-led government could not provide basic facilities to students even after completion of almost four years of being in power. The said schools are aided, government or semi-government-owned schools. Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) Shashikant Shinde, Ajit Pawar, Dilip Valse-Patil raised the issue through calling attention in the assembly.

While giving a reply to the questions posed by the MLAs, Mr Tawde said that out of 1,10,315 schools, electricity is supplied to only 1,04,507 schools and 5,808 schools don't have power. Last year, the figure was 6,406, but the government has given power to 618 schools.

The government provided 8,000 computer labs in 1,500 schools through the ICT at School scheme of the Union government, informed Mr Tawde in the assembly. He said that government is providing Rs 300 for the electricity bill to these schools.

Meanwhile, school education minister Vinod Tawde announced that the government would be filling 18,000 vacant posts in government and aided schools. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar raised the issue while talking on supplementary demands. He demanded the lifting of the ban on recruitment of teachers as there are 6 lakh candidates aspiring to become teachers, according to the footfall of the entrance test conducted by the government. These posts will be filled through online system, said Mr Tawde.