MRUTYUNJAY PATTNAYAK, OP
Baleshwar: The Government Primary School at Kasimila in Haripur panchayat under Remuna block of Baleshwar district, established in 1959, is struggling with a shortage of classrooms and basic facilities.
The school has six classes, from Sishu Vatika to Class V, with 99 students enrolled.
Its enrolment was once more than 120. The 66-year-old school has only three classrooms for six classes and five teachers.
Two classrooms and an office are located on the ground floor, while another classroom has been constructed on the first floor.
Owing to the shortage of space, students of two classes are accommodated in a single classroom. The school also lacks adequate benches and desks, forcing students to sit on mats on the floor.
Basic facilities, including drinking water, toilets and arrangements for midday meals, are inadequate. With only one toilet for 99 students, children often face difficulties and are reportedly forced to go outside the school premises to relieve themselves.
The school building has developed cracks, and the roof leaks during rain. During the monsoon, rainwater accumulates to a depth of about 2 feet outside the school and near the entrance, creating unhygienic conditions and a foul smell.
Floodwater enters the school premises every year and remains stagnant for two to three days, forcing the authorities to declare holidays.
There is also no proper facility for students to have their mid-day meals, leaving them to eat on the verandah.
Headmistress Pratibha Dagar said the school authorities had informed the District Education Officer about the problems.
School Management Committee president Meenakshi Mohapatra said the shortage of classrooms had forced students of two classes to study in a single room.
The school receives a composite grant of Rs 30,000 to Rs 50,000 annually, depending on enrolment.
About two years ago, Rs 50,000 was sanctioned from the local MLA’s fund, Mohapatra said.
Construction of two classrooms on the school rooftop has begun using the MLA’s grant and other funds, but the work is yet to be completed, she said.
District Education Officer (DEO) Basanta Kumar Nayak said the school faces prob lems of flooding and a shortage of classrooms. Efforts are being made to address the issues, he said.
Parents have expressed dissatisfaction with the condition of the school, while local residents have urged the administration to construct new classrooms and toilets at the earliest.