Padmapur: A British era school, which has been completely dilapidated, poses dangers to the lives of 280 students and teachers who do not want to come to the school, a report said.
The Dahigaon Nodal Primary School at Dahigaon in this block of Bargarh district was established in 1924. Though the school has a good name in the locality, it seems to have been reduced to a shadow of its former self.
The school has six classrooms, out of which four are in a very bad shape, making them unfit to run classes. Students are sandwiched in two classrooms, leaving the quality of education far behind, it was learnt.
During the ongoing rain, students are being made to sit in water as the rain water gets through the roof. While walls have developed cracks and the plaster has fallen off, the floor is full of cracks and small pits.
Terming the school building dangerous, Sudhir Chandra Panigrahi, headmaster, said the issue has been taken up with the higher authorities. “We take classes in fear, let alone students,” he said.
On the other hand, Sunil Kumar Mundu, block education officer, observed that the present condition of the oldest school in the panchayat is deplorable.
“I have personally apprised the Sarva Sikhya Abhiyan, Bargarh, about the bad condition of the school many a time, but nothing can be done to the school due to lack of funds,” he added.
Sanatan Bhoi, a retired headmaster and a resident of Dahigaon, attributed the present condition of the school to the apathetic attitude of the school and mass education department. PNN
