Mir Aatif
Bandipora, Aug 25: More than 70 students at a government primary school in Bandipora are studying in a single classroom in a building where a cowshed operates on the ground floor, raising concerns among students and residents over infrastructure and safety.
The school has reportedly been functioning from the same building for more than five decades. With only two teachers and limited classroom space, students from different classes are being taught together in one room.
Students said the lack of space and disturbance from the surroundings affect their studies. They also complained about the smell from the cowshed below.“The building is not safe, and the smell from the cowshed continuously affects us. We cannot study properly because of the disturbance and conditions here,” said Sabreena, a Class 4 student.
Another student, Mehvish, said students have to attend classes together in the same room.“We have to study together in one classroom. One teacher teaches some subjects while the other teaches other subjects. It becomes difficult to read and write properly,” she said.
The students have urged the authorities to identify suitable land and construct a new school building with adequate classroom space.
Local social and political activist Aashiq Hussain said the issue had remained unresolved for years.“For more than five decades, this school has remained in the same condition. The problems faced by these students have been continuously ignored,” Hussain said.
He urged the authorities to identify state land in the area and construct a school building for the students.“The authorities should identify suitable state land and construct a school building for these students. They deserve a safe place to study,” he said.
Chief Education Officer Bandipora Mohd Rafeeq said the government was working to improve educational infrastructure in the district. However, he said the availability of suitable land in the area had emerged as a major hurdle in constructing a new school building.“If the local residents identify some suitable land, we will prepare a proposal on an urgent basis to resolve the crisis,” the Chief Education Officer said.
Students and residents have urged Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the District Administration Bandipora to intervene and find a permanent solution, including adequate classrooms, a safe school building and proper facilities for students.