Dhanbad Municipal Corporation is gearing up for an ambitious project, upgrading government schools across 55 wards on a par with private ones.

Working towards this since February this year, the corporation is surveying over 300 schools across 55 wards under five circles Dhanbad, Jharia, Sindri, Katras and Chatatand. The state urban development department’s approval would be sought in this regard.

However, a list of 33 schools to be developed on pilot basis has already been given by the district education department to the municipality with details such as available land, including grounds, number of classrooms, number of teachers and staff details.

Divulging details, Dhanbad mayor Chandrashekhar Agarwal said, “We will be carrying out physical infrastructure and manpower development of these schools. On physical infrastructure development front, we will develop smart classroom facilities, introduce or upgrade laboratory and library with modern equipment and books.”

He promised, “We will also employ teachers and staff in these schools in case of scarcity of manpower as there will be no dearth of funds.”

Funds to develop the school would be provided by District Mineral Development Foundation Trust, a source said.

Agarwal added they would create a detailed project report for all the schools with the help of a consultant for which search was on.

“We have carried out some groundwork for the school development project and will accelerate the work soon after Lok Sabha elections get over,” said Agarwal. He added that details of government schools including the number of classrooms, condition of boundary walls, availability of sports grounds, status of electricity supply in the building and in every room, drinking water facility, the number and condition of toilets, among others, would help to take them corrective steps to upgrade facilities.