BHUBANESWAR BARIK, OP
Balangir: Students of the Government Nodal Project Upper Primary (UP) School at Lathor in Balangir district’s Khaprakhol block are facing severe infrastructure shortages, with many forced to eat their midday meals in verandahs, under a temporary pandal or in the open.
Established January 1, 1914, the school, the oldest in the area, has entered its 113th year and provides education from Sishu Vatika to Class VIII.
Its enrolment has declined from 230 students in 2024 to 190 now, according to local residents and parents.
The school has six teachers, including a physical education teacher, and is currently managed by an acting headmaster. However, two additional teachers are required.
There are only five classrooms for 190 students, three of which have concrete roofs and two old tiled roofs.
Students from Sishu Vatika through Class II share one classroom, while Classes III, IV and V share another. Classes VI, VII and VIII occupy the remaining three rooms.
The school’s kitchen for the midday meal is in poor condition, and there is no designated space for students to eat.
They consequently have their meals in classroom verandahs, a makeshift pandal or under the open sky.
The school has two tube wells, but they fail to provide adequate water from December to May.
The authorities have twice submitted memorandums to the Khaprakhol block development officer seeking a deep borewell, but no borewell has been installed.
The toilet is in a dilapidated condition, and its water connection has been disconnected, forcing students to go outside the school premises to relieve themselves.
About 20 metres of the boundary wall has also collapsed, allowing stray cattle and dogs to enter the campus and, according to residents, anti-social elements to gather there at night.
Parents have alleged that administrative inaction has allowed the problems to worsen despite the State Government’s efforts to improve school infrastructure and strengthen primary education.
School Management Committee president Akash Gurla said it was unfortunate that the administration had shown such a discriminatory attitude towards one of the oldest schools in the area.
Headmaster Purnachandra Bhainsal said higher authorities had been informed about the problems.
An additional classroom costing Rs 8 lakh had been sanctioned over the past five years, while the school receives an annual grant of Rs 1.5 lakh for classroom repairs, sports equipment, gardening, mathematics and science clubs, and student uniforms, he said.
Khaprakhol Block Education Officer Abhinav Mishra said his office would write to the block development officer seeking additional classrooms.
Steps would also be taken to seek funds under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan scheme to address the other problems, he said.
Parents have urged the administration to improve the school’s infrastructure and basic facilities so students can continue their education in a safe environment.