The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Monsoon woes visit schools again

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Monday, Jun 25, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Monsoon woes visit schools again

J.S. Ifthekhar

Owners not interested in carrying out repairs, want premises vacated
Of the 805 Government schools, 198 are housed in private premises

WATERY EDUCATION: Monsoon has forced the school authorities to take classes in the open.

Hyderabad: It is only puddles of relief that the city has witnessed but schools are in for big trouble. Several schools, particularly the Government ones, are faced with the problem of running classes under leaky roof. As many as 31 schools functioning in community halls and 22 in rented premises are in a pretty bad shape due to the intermittent rain in the last few days.

The School Education Department is caught in a catch 22 situation. It just can’t repair the run-down school buildings operating from rented premises as the rules do not permit. To add to its discomfiture, the building owners are least interested in carrying out the repairs themselves. Thanks to the nominal rent they are paid, they want their premises to be vacated first. In fact, many building owners are making rounds of the Collectorate for just this, it is said.

In bad shape

Of the 805 Government schools in the twin cities, 198 are housed in private premises. The condition of many of them, particularly in the old city, is pathetic. A good shower is enough for the school authorities to send the students packing home for fear of the building collapsing.

To tide over the situation, the school authorities are planning to merge schools running from rented premises into such schools which have less strength and are housed in Government buildings. Authorities are aware of stiff resistance from parents and students as it would mean a long trip for children. “There is just no alternative”, says an official of Sarva Siksha Abhiyan.

The condition of the Government primary school at Vijayangar Colony gives an idea of the rot that has set in most Government schools. The building, constructed in 1956, has developed cracks all over with plaster peeling off. One has to wade through a stagnant pool of water to reach the classroom. Gaping holes and litter greet one in a classroom. Another has a big hole in the asbestos roof. One classroom near the gate has been abandoned as it is open to sky and in a dilapidated condition.

“We try to accommodate students in the staff room when it rains,” says in-charge headmistress, Satyavati.

This school has a perennial drainage problem. The toilets are chocked and there is none to clean. The Government High School, Mallepally, is also in a similar situation. Though the building was constructed in 2000, there are signs of wear and tear everywhere.

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