From Biplab Kr Dey
AMPATI, Nov 20: Continuing the saga of schools that exemplify neglect that has become a norm in the echelons of lower and middle education in Meghalaya, this week, another school from the district of South West Garo Hills hogs the spotlight over its absolutely rotting infrastructure.
The school in question is the Ghilajhuri Government Aided UP School and has a total of 38 students who are being taught by four teachers, which is the norm for UP schools.
The school was established in 1986. However, in 2023, the roof of the school was blown away in a cyclonic storm after which their nightmare unraveled. The school falls under Mahendraganj constituency, represented by NPP’s Sanjay A Sangma.
“Classes are practically being held without a roof overhead. During the rains, we have no option than to call a holiday. It’s a nightmare that just won’t go away. Despite the condition, we take classes whenever we can,” said Headmaster Nidhiram Hajong.
As per the teachers, approaches have been made to every hand that could have helped but nothing has come off their efforts. “We submitted our application to the DC’s office, Education department as well as the Disaster Management (department). They claimed there was not much they could do as the district didn’t have the funds for repair. Besides, with us being just a government-aided school, it’s literally impossible to manage funds for the repair of the school unless the government takes the initiative,” felt Hajong.
The teachers added that they have even approached their local MLA for help but besides assuring them of taking up the matter, the leader has been silent to their appeals. They added that there were many such institutions facing a similar situation.
A look through the school showed floors that will leave nightmares. Besides the roof, the front verandah of the school was completely missing its roof. It has a total of four rooms with all of them in complete shambles. While one room is used as a common room for the teachers, the other three (or two) are being used for classes.
The school falls extremely close to the border with Bangladesh, which adds the threat of theft to the already struggling infrastructure.
“The windows and doors are only there for namesake as it can be easily pushed down. In many of the rooms, the windows have rotted completely and there is no safety in keeping anything of value in the school due to the fear of theft,” said Hajong.
As per the teachers, there have been 3 cases of theft in the school with only one being reported by the school authorities. “We did not report others as it was impractical. We have moved the computers to our homes and brought them only to school during classes. We can’t keep anything of value within the school walls especially because the border is so close and thefts are common,” said the headmaster.
Besides the aid provided by the government for the salaries of teachers, the school also gets a small amount from admissions and exam fees — albeit that amount is not enough for the upkeep of the school.
“We have no way to manage infrastructure other than aid from the government or concerned people. Our enrolment is not enough to cover these expenses. However, we are committed to educating our students and that is the reason we continue to toil through these harshest conditions,” the headmaster remarked.
In its present condition, the school is not even fit to house animals and is definitely not fit to educate students through middle education.
