Biplab Kr Dey
Rongjeng, Apr 6: Welcome to another edition of nightmare schools, this time in the village of Boldil under Rongjeng C&RD Block in the district of East Garo Hills. We bring to your notice the Boldil Government Aided LP School – a school that was set up in the year 1998 and has been an important landmark for locals of the area.
The village of Gabil Boldil lies about 20 kms from Rongjeng and lies in very difficult terrain with travel being restricted to only two wheelers and 4WD vehicles. During the monsoon season, travel becomes well nigh impossible even for two wheelers.
The lone village school was later upgraded to an SSA school which means that infrastructure should also have been upgraded to meet standards. However, that has not been the case and has led to a situation where educators and students face a daily nightmare.
The school, since its inception close to 30 years ago has never seen any form of repairs. Over time and with thunderstorms being a common phenomenon across the region, it slowly began to show signs of wear and tear. Further, once the buildings began to deteriorate, the destruction was completed by humans who began to use it as a shelter for drinking binges especially due to a lack of security due to the destroyed windows and doors.
Currently the main school building has no door, window or even a working roof. The floor has long been dug up and resembles more of a pig shed than a school.
According to school sources, the school has 2 teachers catering to more than 50 students who come from the 51 households from the village. While there are more students looking to come due to the quality of education provided, infrastructure restraints have meant that there is just not enough space to cater to them.
The school earlier had two rooms to cater to students but with the rooms being completely condemned, the entire school has moved to the lone structure still intact – the kitchen meant to cater to mid-day meals of the children.
“We had to move to the kitchen as it was the only room still usable. However, the space is small and there are two teachers imparting education simultaneously in the same room to at least 6 classes. If all the children come for classes, it becomes a nightmare and some have to be accommodated outside the kitchen,” said the school headmaster – who has been with the school since it was opened in 1998.
During the monsoon, the situation gets worse and many have to forgo classes due to space constraints. Earlier it was almost impossible for classes to take place
The school’s educators have been trying to get attention to the condition of the school since ages but have had no one responding to their call.
“We have spoken to everyone we could. We have contacted the EGH administration, education department and others seeking s solution but despite our reminders and pleadings, there has been nothing positive to report. We have even informed the local MLA, Jim Sangma, who told us he would look into the matter but did not really sound positive,” informed the headmaster.
As has been the case with most such cases, stories of resilience come through as despite the shortcomings. These educators and their coterie of students continue to brave the odds in the hope of a better future.
“It is a matter of pride for us that our quality of education has always been high and that is why so many students come to our school to enroll. We would have even greater numbers if the infrastructure improved even slightly. We have been amongst the few schools in the area whose students have excelled in education and passed matriculation, class XII and even graduated. We are proud of our achievements and could so much more with some infrastructural support. It is really frustrating to say the least,” the headmaster added.
“This is so wrong in so many ways. The state’s has been harping on putting education as a priority and despite that, appeals to improve rural education infrastructure have become an absolute joke. Everyone involved should actually hang their heads in shame for failing education – especially in the Garo Hills region ever since the state was formed. This form of ineptitude is criminal and against human rights. No child should have to suffer such nightmare – just t get an education,” felt social activist, Nilbath Ch Marak.
