Jajpur: Seven kids were killed five years back in Nayagarh district as a class room wall had caved in on them when they were studying in a classroom.
The education department seems to have learnt no lesson from the tragic incident and it is waiting for more such mishaps. Of 1,979 primary schools in Jajpur district, 150 classrooms are in dilapidated state posing threat to the lives of students, it was learnt.
Worse, the department has stopped grants for the construction of a new school building since 2013-14 fiscal even as it knows the miserable condition of so many structures.
Meanwhile, authorities of the district Sarva Sikhya Abhiyan (SSA) have identified the hazardously-run buildings and apprised the project director of OPEPA of the matter. SSA officials have also prepared an outlay of Rs 1.90 crore for the repair of 62 classrooms. Though crores of rupees were spent on the repair works of hazardous structures, they turned unsuitable due to substandard construction, it was learnt.
On the other hand, guardians are reluctant to send their wards to attend classes in unsafe buildings.
It can be recalled that the wall of an Anganwadi Centre, which was functioning from the Suansahi primary school under Ranpur block, had collapsed July 9, 2012 resulting in the death of seven kids. Five others sustained critical injuries.
The administration across districts swung into action as the government directed not to hold classes in kutcha or unsafe classrooms during rainy season. The government also asked to dismantle unsafe structures.
However, classes are still being held in such buildings in Jajpur district.
Indaroi primary school of Erbanka panchayat under Sadar block is a case in point. Both the teachers and students have heard the cracking sound from the roof and are in a state of panic. Though it was brought to the notice of the education department, it remained mum.
When contacted, district SSA project coordinator Bishnucharan Sutar said the department has not granted funds for construction of a new building for last four years.
Higher authorities have been apprised of the ground reality, he added. Over a hundred class rooms have been sealed as they pose threat to the lives of students, Sutar said, adding, there is a need of classrooms for nearly two lakh students in the district. PNN
