Ludhiana, July 5 -- The sweepers in government schools across the district have not been paid salaries since March, and in some cases since February, leaving them in hardships. This has forced many teachers and principals to use the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) funds to pay them to ensure basic hygiene is maintained in schools.

Sukhdhir Singh Sekhon, head teacher at Government Primary School, Moti Nagar, and officiating head at Giaspura School, said, "These workers have not received salaries for nearly four months. We don't have amalgamated funds to pay them and can only wait for grants."

Sweepers, earning a meagre Rs.3,000 per month, are expected to keep school premises clean throughout the day. Yet, schools with fewer than 100 stu...