Shortage of space in government schools

After the fast decreasing roll of students in government schools several years back, special drives were launched by the School Education Department (SED) to motivate people to admit their wards in such schools. While the drive achieved some success in some areas but could not do so in many  other areas. Large number of population particularly in rural areas still depend upon the government schools for the education of their children.

Despite this dependence, the roll of students in a number of schools continues to dwindle. On the other side the roll in private schools keeps on increasing every year. Lack of interest among the people for admitting their wards in government schools refelcts in this diminishing numbers. But why is this lack of interest? Absence of adequate space and shortage of teachers besides lack of other facilities in a number of government schools make people disenchannted with government schools. Several schools are operating in a single classroom. Take for instance the Government Boys Primary School, Phanaka, Dudran, in Boniyar. Eighty five students of various classes have only one classroom there. Reports said a school building was constructed there in 2014. But later the building was extensively damaged due to snowfall.

For a decade now no effort was made to reconstruct the building and provide the required classrooms to the students. One room was renovated and the entire school is functioning in that single room. The furniture and other material of the school is lying in a room of a neighbouring house. The concerned authorities never felt the need to solve the problem and have a new school building for the students.

When asked about it the local officials said the issue has been brought into the notice of higher authorities and that they are hoping that something will be done soon. It is not at Dudran only that the students face such a problem.

This problem exists in some other areas also. At some places even the middle schools function in two or three classrooms. Some schools are operating from incomplete buildings. Some government schools do not have their own buildings and function in rented accommodation.

There is an immediate need to have adequate space and classrooms in government schools. New buildings should be constructed, wherever required, to solve the problem. This should be done on priority basis. The school children must not be deprived of the basic facilities. Problems in schools affect the overall educational ecosystem there.