For 17 years, this one-room school runs on rent that ‘was never paid’
Post by ARIF RASHID on Friday, November 4, 2022
Budgam: For the last 17 years, the Government Primary School in Bonyar Surasyar village at Chadoora tehsil in central Kashmir's Budgam district has been functioning from a rented accommodation of one room.
Locals from the village told Rising Kashmir that the government allotted the school for the village under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) programme seventeen years ago. However, it continues to be run from a rented room.
Arfa Jan from the 5th class said all students of the school are being taught simultaneously in a single room. “Due to this, we are not able to concentrate on our lessons,” she said.
The school also lacks washroom and playground facilities. “Many times, the classes are held under the open sky on the small lawn of the school,” another student said.
Syed Farat, who has provided the room on rent to the school, said students are facing a lot of difficulties due to a lack of proper space and other facilities.
Farat, however, said he has not received a single penny as rent from the school authorities in these 17 years.
“I appeal to the government to release my rent amount of all these years and also construct a proper school building in the village,” Farhat said.
Zonal Educational Officer (ZEO) Chadoora, Ghulam Mohiuddin Yatoo said the panchayat body of the village should identify the land in the village so that the construction process for the school building is started.
