Children in several primary schools in Udham Singh Nagar are continuing to study on floor mats despite furniture being available for their classrooms. Benches and desks have reached a number of schools, but the buildings lack enough space to store or install them.
The situation has raised concerns about the use of public funds and the learning environment in government schools. The problem is linked less to the absence of furniture and more to limited classroom capacity and inadequate storage arrangements.
Furniture supplied, then returned
According to the education department, a furniture budget was provided for schools in 2025. Furniture was also delivered to several schools. However, around 25 lakh rupees worth of furniture was returned because some schools had more furniture than they could accommodate.
The department said schools face an imbalance between the number of classrooms and the number of enrolled students. In several places, children from different classes are taught in the same room. Installing benches and desks in those classrooms could further reduce the space available for students.
This means that furniture supplied for better learning conditions cannot always be used as intended. Children in some schools therefore continue to sit on mats while lessons are conducted.
Building conditions add to the problem
Space constraints are not the only difficulty reported in the schools. Dampness and dilapidated rooms in some buildings are also affecting the classroom environment.
The reported challenges point to the need for additional classrooms, repairs to older school buildings and better use of furniture already available. These measures would help schools accommodate students while making it more practical to use the supplied benches and desks.
Chief Education Officer Harendra Kumar Mishra said schools had received furniture according to their requirements during the previous year. He acknowledged that some schools did not have suitable arrangements for keeping it and said efforts were under way to resolve the issue soon.
The immediate concern for students is whether the available furniture can be installed safely and usefully within existing classrooms. Until space and building-related problems are addressed, furniture supplies alone may not change how children sit during lessons.
Conclusion
Several schools in Udham Singh Nagar have furniture but lack the classroom and storage space needed to use it effectively. The education department says it is working to address the problem, alongside the need for additional rooms and repairs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why are some children studying on mats?
Some schools lack enough space to store or install the furniture supplied to them, so children continue to sit on mats.
Q. Was furniture supplied to the schools?
Yes. The education department said a furniture budget was provided in 2025 and furniture was delivered to several schools.
Q. Why was furniture returned?
Around 25 lakh rupees worth of furniture was returned because some schools had more furniture than they could accommodate.
Q. What classroom problem is affecting schools?
Several schools have an imbalance between classroom numbers and student enrolment. In some places, different classes are taught in the same room.
Q. What other problems affect the learning environment?
Dampness and dilapidated rooms in some schools are also affecting classroom conditions.
Q. What has the education department said?
Chief Education Officer Harendra Kumar Mishra said efforts were being made to resolve the lack of arrangements for keeping furniture.
