India, March 27 -- Chandigarh The principal Opposition party, Congress, on Wednesday described as "pitiable" the condition of Haryana government schools amidst teacher shortages and infrastructure gaps even as education minister Mahipal Dhanda sought to reassure the assembly that "further enhancing" education standards remains a top priority of the chief minister Nayab Singh Saini-led government.

The Congress legislators Ashok Kumar Arora, Mandeep Chatta and Balwan Singh drew the attention of the House towards "pitiable condition of government schools due to severe shortage of teachers, dilapidated buildings, and a lack of basic infrastructure" via a calling attention notice. They stated that "many schools lack essential facilities" like...