A day after a Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) team was attacked while heading to inspect a government school near Jaipur, data presented by the Rajasthan government has highlighted the wider infrastructure gaps in the state's schools.
According to government figures cited by The Indian Express, 611 government schools across Rajasthan do not have their own buildings. The data was shared in the state Assembly on Friday in response to a question from Leader of Opposition Tika Ram Jully.
611 schools have no buildings
The government said the figures are based on Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) data for 2025-26 under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan.
“There are 611 schools without buildings in the state, of which 10 are girls’ schools.”
Jhalawar's Aklera block has the highest number of schools without buildings at 23, followed by Khanpur with 16 and Jhalrapatan with 11. Bap in Phalodi has 11 such schools, while Chotisarvan in Banswara has 10.
Jaipur and Alwar each have two girls' schools without buildings, while Barmer, Churu, Dungarpur, Karauli, Kota and Rajsamand have one each.
The figures also show gaps in basic facilities. Of the 64,484 government schools with their own buildings, 2,047 do not have toilets and 1,049 lack drinking water facilities, reported The Indian Express.
CJP team attacked during school visit
The figures came on the same day that a CJP team led by its co-convenor Ashutosh Ranka was attacked while travelling to inspect a government school in Bagru near Jaipur.
The team was looking into allegations that the school was being operated from a cowshed. Its original building had reportedly been declared unsafe last year and closed. Students were subsequently shifted to a temporary enclosure that allegedly also houses buffaloes.
Ranka had earlier visited a school in Alwar on August 14 after students protested following the collapse of part of a roof in an unused room.
Government lists spending plans
The Rajasthan government said Rs 550 crore has been allocated for school repairs and renovation, while Rs 450 crore has been provided for construction of buildings for schools without proper structures or those operating from dilapidated buildings.
“Under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, providing buildings and toilets etc. in the government schools of the state is the top priority of the government,” it said.
Opposition questions preparedness
Jully questioned the government's planning, citing an audit conducted last year.
“They don’t have a plan. There are as many as 3,768 government schools, which are entirely dilapidated and declared unsafe for use. The government closed or shifted these schools which led to a decrease in enrolment numbers. Additionally, 83,783 rooms in schools are entirely dilapidated and unsafe for use.”
He added, “They are unable to arrange funds… the High Court has also pulled them up over the poor condition of schools.”