Kulgam, Apr 05: Government Higher Secondary School Munad Guffan in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district is without a head for the past four years. The school also lacks basic amenities like separate washrooms for female students and staff, with only two facilities for the entire student body and faculty.
The students have expressed concern over the school’s ability to provide adequate education and other co-curricular activities.
Zahid Ahmad, a student, told Rising Kashmir that the school’s lawn is uneven and transforms into a pool of water during rainfall.
Another student, Sania Jan, said, “Dozens of girls are studying in this school but unfortunately, there is not a single separate washroom for girls. We appeal to the authorities to look into this issue.”
The higher secondary school has 164 students enrolled for the current session, but it lacks facilities such as separate washrooms and a boundary wall (fencing).
The students said the classrooms have a shabby appearance with damaged benches and chairs.
Ironically, a new building constructed next to the old school has not been made operational since 2019 due to unfavorable issues.
A teacher wishing anonymity said the school is without even a Principal for four years, which impedes a lot of development. “We teach students in the lab, and at times outside under the open sky because the newly-constructed building has not been handed over yet. Poor seating arrangements and flooring are also a problem,” he said.
Due to poor fencing, some boys enter the premises of school after office hours, making school buildings vulnerable to drug addicts and anti-social elements, the teacher added.
The school is located on the border of the Kulgam and Shopain districts, and the majority of its students come from Munad, Ghuffan, Sodsun, and Machiva villages.
Another teacher said that the lab lacks a tin roof, and the rainwater damages the chemicals and other acids used in practical classes for science students.
The teachers said the main building has ten rooms, one each for the library, sports, computer, admission hall and another for the Principal’s office. Only five rooms are functional for teaching purposes, they said.
An official told Rising Kashmir that work on the six-roomed building began in 2019 and was about to be completed last year, but it was put on a halt due to some issues.
“We will begin the necessary work on it, and I assure you that it will be operational within 15 days,” he said.
Mushtaq Ahmad Qadri, Chief Education Officer (CEO) in Kulgam, told Rising Kashmir that he had taken up the matter with the executing agency via the contractor about the pending work of the incomplete building.
“The building will be completed soon. We have also requested the administration department to post a Principal in the institution through proper channels,” he said.
About washrooms and renovation, he said, “We have noted it in the District Capex plan.”
