Students forced to study in open amid harsh cold due to lack of building

Kulgam, Dec 4: In a distressing situation reflecting the challenges faced by rural education, students of a government-run school at Beebrada village, Yaripora, Kulgam, have been forced to attend classes in the open amid harsh cold due to the absence of a school building.

Established in 1985 the Government Primary School operated out of an old rented building for three decades. However, three months ago, the building was vacated after being declared unsafe.

The property owner subsequently demolished the structure, leaving the school without a roof over its head. According to an official, the school temporarily relocated to another residential house, but the arrangement was short-lived. "The owner asked the school management to vacate the premises last month," he said

An official said efforts to secure a new building have been unsuccessful as no one in the area is willing to rent their property for school use.

Desperate to continue classes, a non-teaching staff member working as a daily wage helper offered his lawn as a temporary classroom. However, despite his generosity, the conditions are far from ideal, especially with the Kashmir experiencing bone-chilling temperatures these days.

"The children are forced to sit under the open sky, shivering in the cold. It's heartbreaking," said Ali Muhammad Bhat, a concerned villager.

The school, which once had an enrollment of 30 students, now has only 17 left, as some parents have pulled their children out due to the harsh conditions.

Four teachers are still posted at the school, struggling to maintain educational standards.

“How can teachers deliver quality education when there isn’t even a classroom? It’s a grave injustice to both students and teachers,” Bhat lamented.

Zonal Education Officer (ZEO) Yaripora, Manzoor Ahmed, confirmed the precarious situation.

"The former property owner delayed signing the rent agreement and later forced us out. We are currently exploring other options to ensure the students have a proper place to study," Ahmed said.

Parents and local residents have appealed to the government for urgent intervention to provide a permanent building or at least temporary infrastructure to protect the children from the harsh winter.