Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday said a structural audit of all government schools will be conducted to assess the condition of buildings and basic facilities after finding safety and infrastructure lapses during an inspection of a government school.

Ms. Gupta also criticised the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government’s education model, saying it was heavily promoted but essential ground-level issues remained unaddressed. “The audit will examine the structural strength and safety of school buildings, along with basic amenities such as drinking water, toilets, cleanliness and fire safety systems,” the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said in a statement.

The CM’s remarks came after inspecting Rajkiya Sarvodaya Vidyalaya in Roop Nagar, where she found several lapses.

“Students informed the Chief Minister that the school lacked proper access to clean drinking water, with water coolers and RO systems lying non-functional for a long time. As a result, many students were forced to drink tap water directly,” read the statement.

Students also complained about the poor condition of toilets, saying several doors were broken, regular cleaning was not carried out, and the water supply remained inconsistent. “Expressing strong displeasure over the lapses, she reprimanded officials and said negligence related to children’s safety would not be tolerated under any circumstances,” read the statement. The Chief Minister directed the departments concerned to immediately address all safety-related shortcomings in the school.

Publicity versus reality

Ms. Gupta said students would not be struggling for basic facilities had the previous government genuinely strengthened the education system. “Advertisements and publicity alone cannot improve education. What matters is ensuring real facilities, a safe environment and quality education for children,” she said.

Ms. Gupta said the Delhi government is committed to delivering concrete, result-oriented work instead of indulging in “politics of appearances”. She said over the past year, the government had been working consistently to strengthen basic facilities and modernise infrastructure in government schools. The Chief Minister said the government aims to provide every student with clean drinking water, hygienic toilets, smart classrooms, digital facilities and safe infrastructure.