Lasjan schools lack infrastructure, hampers education

Srinagar, March 09: Inside a classroom of Government Girls High School Lasjan, a number of examinees are taking the 8th class examination while sitting on the floor. The school is functioning from a rental accommodation in the district Srinagar.
Examinees said that some of them were accommodated in the classrooms with the seating arrangement while the rest of the students had to take examinations by sitting on the mats due to the shortage of desks.
A student said, “Almost 50 students were made to sit on mats due to the unavailability of infrastructure in the school. The glasses of the windows were also missing which were replaced by the plastic sheets.”
The examinees said that the school functions from the dingy building with decrepit washrooms and stairs.
Every year, the school building is used as an examination center. Few years back, the administration had visited the school during one examination and raised the issue of non-availability of furniture. After that the school was provided with 9 reading desks. The school has an enrollment of 70 girls from kindergarten to 10th class and has been functioning for years in a rental building.
In the area of Lasjan, Srinagar, the government schools are in dearth of infrastructure.
Another school just a few steps away, Boys High School Lasjan is also infrastructure deficit. As per the locals of the area, the school kitchen where mid-may meals are prepared for the students is in bad condition. Due to the drainage problem, the smell of fungus lingers in the many classrooms. The enclosing walls of the schools are also low which allows any intruder to enter inside the premises.
A local said, “During covid pandemic, the school functioned as covid center. From the past three years, one of the classrooms is still occupied by the panchayat where they have put their stuff and other essentials and is yet to be vacated.”
The middle school was established in 1993 and the nearby high school was shifted in the same building in the year 2015.
There are a number of lockers in the high school which are adjusted behind the classrooms and science lab.
The science lab, solar batteries, midday meals and smartboard are adjusted in the same rooms.
In another, Government Middle School Bagandar Lasjan, one of the school’s buildings damaged in 2014 floods is yet to be constructed. The decrepit building has been overlooked by the authorities and has developed cracks which have put the lives of students and teachers at stake. Another issue is the water logging inside the school premises.
A parent whose child studies in 7th class said, “There are 28 students in the school and in 2nd and 3rd classes, there are no students. The reason for the low enrollment is the unavailability of the infrastructure. On rainy days, we have to wear long plastic shoes to wade through water. The Block Development Office is at a stone’s throw distance but nobody cares about students who study in government schools.”
Established in 1964, Government Girls Middle School Soitang has been sharing space with Boys Middle School Soitang.
The model school has dysfunctional projectors and smartboards due to the lack of computers.
Dr. Audil Farooq Mir (Lasjan), socio-political activist, 22 Lalchowk Assembly Constituency, former General Secretary JKPYCC said that the area has been represented by NC (1 elected and 1 nominated term) along with PDP with elected term since 2002 to 2018.
Dr. Audil said, “No parent would want his kid to study in such conditions. My kids don’t study here but it’s my responsibility as a citizen to see how other children are studying in the government schools.”
He took to his tweeter and shared the pictures of the school in Lasjan.
While talking to the Chief Education Officer, Srinagar Shabir Ahmad Malik over the issue, he said that the directions have been passed to all the zonal education officers to make a report of all the schools.
He said, “I have taken up the matter with Director School Education. A report will be made based on the survey and we will project that report in the budget. In the phased manner, we can sort out the issue. Our department is on it and within 4-5 months, this will be resolved.”
He further said that the people should come with their grievances to his office.