Post News Network
Berhampur, Feb 17: Nine years after it was inaugurated by the then President of India APJ Abdul Kalam, the school-level model science and computer laboratory at the City High School here lies in a dilapidated condition because of the carelessness of the school authorities and the school and mass education (S&ME) department.
Science models and equipments worth several lakhs of rupees have been rotting in the laboratory, which was inaugurated by Kalam in 2006 during the school’s platinum jubilee celebrations.
Residents of the area and guardians of students have demanded that immediate measures be taken to renovate the laboratory and use it for the benefit of
students.
The laboratory was established in the school through the efforts of scientist Kota Harinarayan, an alumni of the school. He had also invited Kalam for the school’s platinum jubilee
celebrations.
Later, the lab was accorded the status of the only model science laboratory of the district. There are 63 models of missiles, apart from that of satellites, telescopes and other scientific equipments worth around `3 lakh in the lab. Harinarayan had donated most of the equipments to the school with the aim of inspiring students to take up science education. However, a few years after the lab was inaugurated, it became dilapidated. Windows have been damaged and a lot of equipments and models are gathering dust. Students also seldom get the opportunity to view the models and use the equipments as the lab remains closed most of the time. However, school headmaster Abhimanyu Pradhan said efforts are on to renovate the lab. “As science teachers are busy in completing the school syllabus, they cannot focus on taking the students to the lab,” he said. The matter will be brought to the notice of district science expert Gopal Krushna Panda, Pradhan informed.
Panda has also assured that special
attention would be given for renovating the laboratory.
