by Maleeha Sofi
SRINAGAR: Much to the inconvenience of students and teachers, a government school in Kralgund area of district Kupwara functions in a three room building including an office, two classrooms and a rundown building.
The school has been functional since a long time and has been functioning from cramped rooms with a limited infrastructure. The school teaches up to class 8th and about 90 students are enrolled there.
“It was a primary school for students belonging to Scheduled Tribe previously and later became an upper primary school for the same category students” said a teacher who wished to be anonymous.
According to teacher, a headmaster, seven teachers and one peon runs the affairs of school.
“Teaching two classes in one room creates disturbance for students as well as teachers,”, a teacher posted in the school said. All nine classes according to teacher are taught in two classrooms and sometimes in the ground outside school. However, during inclement weather, it becomes difficult to function.
“We have made all the efforts along with locals and sent papers to Zonal Educational Officer (ZEO) and Chief Education Officer (CEO) several times which have been changed since years but no one could help in the matter, ” he said.
According to the right to education policy there should be one classroom for every teacher and a separate toilet for girls and boys. However, the school in Kupwara lacks these basic facilities.
“Teachers have to take extra care of kids as the school is located on a hill with a forest nearby and no caretaker available elementary class students, ” the teacher said.
Mohammad Yousuf, Sarpanch of the area said, “I have contacted ZEO numerous times but he says they have no funds. Once we get enough funds we will reconstruct the old building to make it safe,” Yousuf said.
Abdul Hameed, Chief Executive Officer of Kupwara said, “School administration cannot decide whether the building is safe or unsafe. A certificate from an executive body is required to prove it.”
The CEO said that he will get the reports and if he finds that the building lacks rooms, then, they will extend it in their next plan.
“Naturally, we do not have rooms as much as the classes in a middle school because lower classes can be conducted in a single room without any disturbance. Classes such as First and Second have comparable curriculum and learning level, ” he said.
