From Our Correspondent
Tura/Baghmara, Aug 23: The village of Dosaram in North Garo Hills is a hidden delight. The village, which is about 5 km from Adokgre has views that one would die for, notwithstanding the steep climb that one needs to undertake. The place is also close to one of the most visited sites of Garo Hills – Nakachikong.
While the village may be a delight for sore eyes, what is heartbreaking is the plight of over 60 students who get their education in the Dosaram SSA LP School housed atop a hill overlooking the plains of Kharkutta and Adokgre.
According to the villagers, the school roof was blown away by a storm in 2021 and ever since has not been repaired leaving the students of the school in a perilous state as they have no other place.
The villagers have arranged two makeshift rooms to ensure the education for the children – one thatched house and a community hall.
However, in both these places, the condition of the teachers and students is something no one can take pride in.
The result is that whenever it rains, a school holiday is declared as it becomes impossible for the teachers and students, who are cramped into the place to protect themselves from nature’s fury.
They cannot even save their books in case of heavy rains. The result–education takes a back seat.
“The condition of the makeshift school is pitiful, and despite the matter being informed to the authorities, no attempt has been made to repair the school. Is this how you prioritize education,” asked a resident, Johnee G Momin.
What is ironic is the fact that a new toilet was constructed on the school premises even after the roof was blown off and the school became unusable.
“Has the state prioritized contract work over education? I am sure the irony of the situation is not lost on the educators and the students who now have to face an uncertain future all because the state was too lazy to take action. Can we really question the students for not providing stellar results in their later educated life? This is ridiculous, to say the least,” felt social activist Maxbirth G Momin.
Move over to South Garo Hills’ Chokpot region where the situation is as bad if not worse.
Activist Jish A Sangma from the area provided photos and videos of at least three schools (there are plenty more) where roofs have been blown off, the walls have cracked, there are no windows or doors, and children and teachers are seen towards the edges of the rooms where a section the roof is still intact.
The activist provided photos and videos of Eman Durabanda Government UP School, Bramgre SSA UP School, and the Dapasakgre Non- Government LP School. The common factor in all three is that most parts of the roofs are missing with broken doors and windows.
“Can there be a sadder scene than this for school children and teachers? Is education a priority to this government or any other previous dispensations? When will the authorities take stock of the crumbling education infrastructure in Garo Hills and when will education be a priority in our region.”
There are more such pathetic, dreary schools in the same area, he added.
“Inspection by the education department in our region is a rare sight despite various memos being submitted to them to take stock of the situation, they are loath to make trips and check on what is happening and how children face an uncertain future. They need to get off their chairs and work actively to change the situation. Unless infrastructure supports quality education, we cannot hope for change,” felt the activist.
Chokpot is amongst the least developed regions in the already least developed district of South Garo Hills. Getting to Chokpot requires a strong heart and if this neglect continues can anyone blame the district for not producing winners in education?
After taking oath and forming their government in 2018, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma promised to make education a priority for his government. While laudable improvements have been made in many places, education, mainly in the primary and middle sections, at least in Garo Hills continues to lag far behind in the state and the country.
“There was hope that education could take off after the statement of the government but that hope has waned over the past few years. We hope that those words can be put into action and such schools can get out of the rut they are in,” said Maxbirth.
“With an education department that lulls to sleep with a false sense of achievement, it will be a challenge, to say the least”.