Ganderbal, May 31: The students of Government Boys High School in the Hayan village of Kangan in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district are taking classes either in the old rundown building and tin shed or under the open sky as it lacks proper accommodation. There are 140 students enrolled in the school.
According to locals, the teachers also find it difficult to teach the students enrolled in the school established in 1942. They said the education of students is being severely affected.
“The old building of the school is not only being used for classrooms but for the headmaster’s chamber and other purposes as well, while the students are being taught jointly in the old building and a temporary tin shed,” said a local whose child studies in the school.
He said since its establishment, the authorities have failed to construct a new concrete building. “No initiative has been taken so far to construct a new building for the well-being of students,” he said.
The locals said they approached the concerned authorities several times but to no avail.
A school teacher wishing anonymity said they are finding it difficult to accommodate over 140 students in the old building and a temporary tin shed. The apathy of the authorities has affected the quality of education, he said.
“We are tired of giving assurances to the wards of these children that proper facilities will be provided sooner or later, but the authorities have not been able to visit this school,” the teacher said.
He said the school’s roll was 190, but due to the poor condition of the building, it had declined to 140.
The students said they always feel that the building may collapse at any time. There is also a lack of staff in the school. “The school should have at least 14 to 15 teachers, but there are only 8,” one of the students said.
In the old building, only six classrooms are available which also include an office.
The sarpanch of the village said that a local person had given land for the construction of the new building, but the Irrigation & Flood Control Department is not giving a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to construct the new building saying the school comes near the River Sindh.
Chief Education Officer (CEO) Ganderbal Abdul Majeed Kohli told Rising Kashmir that the land for the construction new school building has now been identified at another place. “After completing the papers, work will be started on it,” he said, adding that proper staff will be kept in the school.
