By Durga Kirti, OP
Thuamul Rampur: The Government High School at Badachhatranga village in Thuamul Rampur block of Kalahandi district is facing severe infrastructure problems, with water leaking from classroom roofs and plaster falling during the rainy season.
The school, established in 1966, was renovated under the 5T initiative during the previous government. However, alleged poor-quality of construction has left parts of the building in a deteriorated condition. Despite the risks, students continue to attend classes in the affected rooms, raising concerns about their safety.
According to headmaster (in-charge) Subrat Pradhan, more than 390 students from Bal Vatika to Class X are enrolled at the school. More than 250 students are in the primary and upper-primary sections. There are only two classrooms for students from Class 1 to Class VI.
Students from Bal Vatika through Class IV are taught in one room, while Classes V and VI share another. The school has adequate classrooms for students from Class VII to Class X. Three teachers were posted in the primary and upper-primary sections, but one has been deputed elsewhere, leaving only two teachers to handle classes. The secondary section from Class VII to Class X also lacks teachers for all subjects.
The school has separate toilets for boys and girls, but water shortage often prevents students from using them. Drinking water facilities are also inadequate, adding to the problems faced by students and staff. The school has no independent groundwater supply and depends entirely on water provided under the Basudha scheme. However, the supply is often disrupted, leaving students facing water shortages.
Although computers are available at the school, students are unable to receive computer education because there is no teacher or training facility. The most serious problem is water leaking through the roof. The leakage is disrupting classes, particularly for Class X students. A Class X girl student said rainwater drips from the roof onto benches, notebooks and textbooks, making it difficult for students to sit and write.
Students are also forced to clean the classroom themselves after rainfall. Departmental officials have visited the school and taken note of the problems, but no permanent solution has been implemented.
School Management Committee President Bhikari Majhi urged the government to address the problems immediately, warning that the committee would take to the streets for the future of the students if the issues were not resolved.
The headmaster said that the only major improvement work carried out at the school in the past five years was under the 5T school transformation initiative. No further work has been undertaken and the school has received no government funds since then, he said. Parents have demanded immediate steps to repair the leaking roof, construct additional classrooms, ensure a permanent drinking water supply and appoint the required number of teachers.
