By Harshabardhan Behera, OP
Jajpur: Poor sanitation and inadequate infrastructure have left students of Khandahata Government Primary School in Ward 26 of Byasanagar Municipality in Jajpur district studying in an unhealthy and unsafe environment, with parents expressing concern over the lack of basic facilities at the 54-year-old institution.
Established in 1972, the school has 46 students from Shishu Vatika to Class V but only two classrooms. There are two teachers, including the headmistress. The school lacks usable toilets, adequate classrooms and a complete boundary wall. The existing toilet remains locked as its walls have developed cracks and floor tiles have broken, making it unsafe for use.
Students are reportedly forced to relieve themselves in the open outside the school. An old, damaged asbestos-roofed structure on the premises also poses a safety risk. The incomplete boundary wall allows rain and drain water to enter the premises, leaving the area damp and waterlogged. Residents have also alleged frequent sightings of poisonous snakes. The school lacks a dedicated safe drinking water facility, with students depending on piped water supplied by the Public Health department.
The mid-day meal is prepared in a dilapidated room, while students eat on the verandah due to the lack of a designated dining space. Headmistress Lipsarani Samal said the school had not received any government financial assistance during the past five years, though its problems were being reported regularly to higher authorities through monthly reports. School management committee president Bijay Kumar Behera said the school had been facing various problems for years despite repeated demands for improvement.
Parent and Ward 26 councillor Rabindra Rout said the local legislator had been approached for construction of a boundary wall, additional classrooms and a road. “Funds have already been sanctioned for construction of the road inside the school premises. The higher authorities will be approached regarding the other problems,” he said. Jajpur District Education Officer Maheswar Sahu said he learnt about the problems from the reporter and assured that efforts would be made to resolve those in the coming days.
