From Our Correspondent
CHOKPOT (SGH), May 28: Recent national rankings placed Meghalaya’s education system at the bottom of the country—a statistic that finds a grim physical reality at the Balwat Ronchanggre Government LP School. Located a few kilometers from Chokpot in South Garo Hills, the school has become a symbol of systemic neglect where students and livestock literally share the same learning space.
The school’s dire condition gained attention after a social media video showed a classroom lacking windows, doors, and large sections of the roof. Holes in the walls are wide enough for cattle to wander through, often seeking shelter alongside children during rain.
Established in 1935, the school currently has four teachers managing 52 students. Despite the lack of infrastructure, enrollment increased this year, with parents opting for the school due to the teachers’ reputation for quality instruction. However, the physical environment has reached a breaking point.
Of the three buildings on site, two “Assam-type” structures are in total ruin. One has been completely abandoned, while the other is still used for classes due to a lack of space. The only relatively stable structure is a single-room RCC building from the early 2000s, which is insufficient to accommodate seven different classes.
“We have faced this situation for years and have informed the District Education Office on many occasions. We submitted written complaints, photos, and videos, but nothing has been done,” said Headmaster Greatherson R Sangma.
To manage the crisis, the four teachers attempt to teach seven classes simultaneously in one room. They occasionally borrow space from a nearby Upper Primary (UP) school, which is also a single-room structure. This forced arrangement requires classes to begin at 7:00 AM so the building can be vacated by 10:00 AM for the UP students to move in.
“We are constrained by the lack of infrastructure but continue to pour our hearts into ensuring these children learn. These conditions make a mess of our efforts,” another teacher added.
Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), including the GSU, FKJGP, and AYWO, recently visited the site to assess the situation. GSU Chokpot President Jish A Sangma expressed frustration over the lack of political and administrative will.
“The matter was reported to the local legislator, Sengchim Sangma, but it was ignored. What is even more frustrating is that no official from the education department has bothered to visit the school in the last two years,” said Jish Sangma.
While the state government continues to list education as a top priority, the reality at Balwat Ronchanggre suggests otherwise. Community leaders are now demanding immediate intervention to repair the structures before the monsoon further compromises the safety of the students.
