6 days ago
Rekha Gupta inaugurates new Delhi University academic block in Maurice Nagar, announces return of U-Special buses
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday inaugurated the new academic block of the Delhi University (DU) Social Centre School in Maurice Nagar. The new four-storey building, completed in 21 months at a cost of over Rs 27 crore, has 21 classrooms and laboratories.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony held at DU's Vice Regal Lodge, the CM noted that while progress has been made in education, much more remains to be done. She proposed that each DU college be linked to two or three government schools, with university students visiting regularly to mentor and motivate schoolchildren.
Gupta said that the goal should be to make government schools the first choice for parents. 'Government schools should become the priority, and private schools should be the second,' she said. 'If children still have to struggle for admissions from primary to post-graduation, then the system needs to improve.'
She also announced the return of the U-Special buses. This bus service, tailored for DU students, was once a popular transport option for students of the varsity.
Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood, the guest of honour at the event, stressed that the new academic block represented future citizens of a 'Viksit Bharat,' not just bricks and stones, Sood said.
He said the government's key aim was to democratise education. The Education Minister also highlighted the new Bill introduced by the Delhi government that grants parents a say in deciding school fee hikes.
The Delhi Legislative Assembly on Tuesday passed the bill to regulate private school fee hikes.
Sood added that the government would work to equip all government schools with smart classrooms and AI-enabled labs. He urged DU colleges to join the 'Kude se Azadi' cleanliness campaign by identifying one spot near their campuses to transform, and suggested aiming for a world record on August 31 for the largest clean-up drive.
DU Vice Chancellor Yogesh Singh, who presided over the event, said the university was proud to have several alumni in leadership positions. On the new building, he said it was constructed on a 16,754 sq. m plot and has a total built-up area of over 3,700 sq m. Singh also stressed the need to build national character and urged students to be 'givers, not takers.'
The ceremony was also attended by Ghonda MLA Ajay Mahawar, Timarpur MLA Surya Prakash Khatri, DU South Campus Director Prof. Rajni Abbi, Registrar Dr. Vikas Gupta, and school Vice Principal Dr. Garima Bharti.
