The Delhi government is set to recruit interns for a three-month infrastructure audit of over 1,000 schools, providing undergraduate engineering students and class 12 graduates with practical field experience, as stated by an official on Wednesday. Interns will engage in extensive fieldwork across the city’s government schools, gaining hands-on experience in surveying buildings, documenting infrastructure, assisting engineers, and utilizing digital assessment tools. They will receive a stipend of approximately Rs 15,000. The initiative aims to familiarize students with real-world technical processes while also enhancing the government’s data systems for school infrastructure.
The audit will employ a variety of assessment tools, including drone surveys, 360-degree imaging, on-site inspections, and AI-based digital analysis, to evaluate and improve the infrastructure and safety of 1,086 schools located across 799 building premises. Interns will be tasked with creating digital profiles for each school that document the current infrastructure, facilities, and their physical condition. These profiles will also include data on structural stability and safety, allowing the government to identify issues, prioritize repairs, and plan for long-term enhancements using a data-driven approach. Their responsibilities will encompass conducting drone surveys, producing high-resolution 360-degree room documentation, and uploading data in real time via a dedicated web application.
This platform will automatically generate analytical reports and highlight deficiencies based on benchmarks established by organizations such as the Central Board of Secondary Education and the National Disaster Management Authority. The goal is to centralize all information regarding government school infrastructure to enhance planning, maintenance, and safety standards. The application will incorporate GPS tagging, role-based access control, data validation, and customized reporting. Interns will evaluate classrooms, toilets, electrical fittings, furniture, laboratory and sports equipment, categorizing them as ‘good,’ ‘minor repair,’ ‘major repair,’ or ‘replacement needed.’ Additionally, they will support safety and structural stability assessments through visual inspections and non-destructive testing methods, guided by qualified structural engineers.
Buildings identified as structurally weak or in need of significant repairs will have their reports reviewed by technical institutions like IITs or NITs, which will recommend appropriate actions such as waterproofing, retrofitting, or demolition. This audit is poised to create a detailed digital inventory of Delhi’s government school infrastructure, representing a pioneering effort to inform policy decisions and foster safer, more resilient learning environments for students.