NABARD has sanctioned Rs 221.99 crore for strengthening school infrastructure in rural schools of Punjab. The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development has funded Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) for construction of 2,328 additional classrooms, 762 laboratories and 648 playgrounds in rural schools in all 23 districts of Punjab, a NABARD said in a statement on Monday that the money has been approved.
In addition, 404 Integrated Science Labs, 62 Physics Labs, 44 Chemistry Labs, 54 Biology Labs, 103 Computer Labs and 55 National Skill Qualification Framework Laboratories have also been approved. The projects aim to benefit a total of 3.80 lakh students, with a potential fresh enrollment of 3.5 lakh students in over 3,500 villages.
At present, 632 projects are underway, which are being built by the Department of School Education, Government of Punjab out of Rs.686 crore given under RIDF.