The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : `Shantiniketan' with a difference!

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Nov 20, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

`Shantiniketan' with a difference!

By S. Ramu

Schoolbags lie scattered under the shadow of a neem tree at Rajupet on Friday.

RAJUPET (NALGONDA DT.), NOV. 19. They have to take the brunt of sun and fury of rain. And it it pours, it's a holiday for them.

Welcome to the Government High School at Rajupet in Tipparthy mandal. Believe it or not, here is a single classroom for as many as 252 students! Left with no option, the Headmaster, G. Venkat Reddy, has been running the school under the shadow of three trees on the premises of the school for the last couple of years.

Lack of funds

To cater to the educational needs of nine hamlets -- a population of 3,923 -- the Education Department had upgraded the school in 2002. But due to lack of funds, no building was constructed. Villagers were forced to collect donations for the purpose.

``Villagers, educationalists and people's representatives donated Rs. 60,000 and we bought one acre two kuntas of land to construct the school. The two rooms that have been constructed under the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan are not sufficient,'' says Mr. Reddy.

Science equipment and a colour TV allotted for the school are kept in the congested staff room. The packing has not been opened yet! ``We will be thankful to the Government provided it sanctions five classrooms and four teacher posts,'' a parent says.

When the school premises was chosen as venue for the public meeting addressed by the Minister, Kanna Laxminarayanana, on Friday, district officials were embarrassed to see students studying under the shadows of trees.

At the end of his speech, the Minister said he would sanction classrooms and a compound wall for the school soon.

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