Waseem Ahmad
SRINAGAR, Aug 7: Notwithstanding the tall claims of the Government of providing better infrastructure in the Government schools, a Government High School at Sadoora area in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district is awaiting completion for more than eight years.
The school that has 101 students enrolled with 11 teachers posted there is presently functional from a rented Auqaf building at a nearby area which locals claim is not safe.
Interestingly, the construction of one of the school buildings was completed in 2011 and then another building was constructed under centrally sponsored scheme, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) which was also completed but both the buildings were never used due to unknown reasons.
The height of apathy towards the school is that despite two buildings being completed, the construction of one more building for the school was started and that also awaits completion.
As per locals, the construction of one of the school buildings was started in 2009 and it was completed in 2011 but lackadaisical approach of the authorities towards the school has turned the school into a dumping yard. “The construction of the building was completed in 2011 but they never shifted the school there. Students have to face hardships in the present building as there is not much space and the building is also not safe,” the locals said.
They said a nomadic family is illegally using the abandoned buildings of the school. They have transformed the buildings into a residential house, with livestock being put into one of the classrooms.
Zonal Education Officer (ZEO) Sodura, Hakeem Imtiyaz, said that the school building was constructed at an isolated place and after its completion, it was not feasible to shift the school there as the buildings were totally damaged by unknown persons.
“One school building was completed in 2011 and then additional one block was given under SSA but when we surveyed the school buildings, they were not in a condition that we can shift the school there. The buildings were totally damaged, windows as well as doors were broken. We requested the higher authorities for repairing the buildings and funds for that are yet to be received,” he said.
The ZEO said that the location of the school is not good as it is in an isolated area that was the reason the buildings were damaged and misused.
He expressed hope that the under constructed third building of the school will be completed within two months and the school will be soon shifted there. “After the school is shifted there, it will be easy for us to repair the other buildings,” he added.
Asked about the nomadic family residing there, he said they have been removed from there and the cleanliness of the buildings is going on.
When contacted Chief Education Officer (CEO) Anantnag, expressed ignorance about the matter. “I don’t know anything about this matter. I will talk to the ZEO of the zone and see what the matter is,” he said.
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