By SUBHAKANTA NAYAK, OP
Hatadihi: The Government Primary School at Kuada in Kendujhar district, established in 1979, is functioning in poor conditions, with students from Sishu Vatika to Class V being taught in a single classroom that also serves as the school office.
The school has neither a boundary wall nor a functional toilet, raising concerns over the safety and sanitation of its 26 students. Despite repeated appeals to the panchayat, block and district administrations, parents allege that little has been done to address the problems. The school once had 60 students, but enrolment has fallen to 26 amid inadequate infrastructure and other difficulties. The lone classroom is shared by all students, while office work is also carried out there.
Two teachers, one woman and one man, conduct classes simultaneously in the same room, making it difficult for students to concentrate and follow lessons. The classroom roof also leaks during the rainy season, adding to the difficulties faced by students and teachers. Sanitation remains a major concern. The school’s old toilet was damaged and has remained unusable since 2019. Students, particularly girls, face difficulties because of the absence of a toilet and are forced to use an open field.
Some children are reportedly reluctant to attend school because of the lack of basic sanitation facilities. The absence of a boundary wall has also left the campus open to outsiders. Cattle, dogs and goats frequently enter the premises, raising concerns over the safety of the young students. The school also lacks an entrance gate displaying its name.
The school has not received a government grant for more than five years, according to school authorities. The school management committee has repeatedly brought the matter to the attention of the Block Education Officer, District Education Officer and District Collector, but the problems remain unresolved.
Samana panchayat sarpanch Jagabandhu Kandi said funds for a toilet had been approved and the expenditure allocation completed based on his written assurance to the school. However, he said the work could not be taken up because of some problems. Headmistress Pratibha Pari da said the school urgently needs additional classrooms, a boundary wall and a toilet.
“The office and classes from Sishu Vatika to Class V are being conducted in the same building,” she said. School management committee president Jayadev Jena said the lack of basic facilities had contributed to the decline in enrolment.
Students from neighbouring villages now attend schools in Gobindpur, Dhaipokhari, Marua and Sari da, about 2 to 3 km away, he said. “If a government school is in such a condition, how will our children study?” parent Ranjan Jena said.
Hatadihi ABEO Pramod Kumar Nayak said he was aware of the problems and that steps were being taken to improve the situation.
