Sameer Ahmed
Anantnag: A government primary school in Shahabad, Monghal village in South Kashmir’s Anantnag District, has been illegally occupied by some families and have converted it into a residential house. A delegation of locals while expressing resentment against the negligent attitude of the concerned school authorities told INS that the families have been residing in the school building for months together now. “It has become a practice with some local families to move into the school building once the school is shut for winter vacation,” said the locals.
It’s worth mentioning that the school building is a two-room mud house which has been taken on rent by the school authorities. It serves as classroom as well as the office of the school. At present, there are 15 students enrolled in the school with three teachers.
The parents told INS that the school lacks basic infrastructure such as washrooms, kitchen, playground, furniture etc. The school is without a headmaster. Even the toilet facility is not up to the mark in the school. They said, “Children belonging to poor families are left at God’s mercy. How can our children compete with other children who are studying in private schools with all the facilities at their disposable.’’
“The government’s claim of providing quality education to all is only a misnomer. The ground reality is different and the government’s negligence is having direct adverse impact on the future of our children,” said a parent wishing anonymity.
Yet another group of parents said, “The school is only for the name sake. The official apathy has resulted in decrease in the roll of students in these government schools.”
Meanwhile, this INS correspondent contacted the Joint Director School Education south Kashmir, Showkat Ahmad, and apprised him about the occupation of the school building by some locals and lack of basic infrastructure in the school. In response, he said , “I will look into the matter and will address the issues soon . I will talk to the concerned officials and ensure that action is initiated in preserving the decorum and sanctity of the system governing the school education.”
(The story is edited by Zia Darakshan, Associate Editor)
