Suhail Bhat
SRINAGAR, Nov 14: The construction of Primary High School building at Hapatnar village in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district remained incomplete even though the work on it was started almost six years ago.
In 2013, authorities started the construction work on two-storey school building. Sources said the work was started with the available funds but after erecting the walls it did not continue further and first floor is still under construction. The under-construction building has six classrooms in the first floor, a storeroom and office for the staff.
As the building stands incomplete, the teachers have to use makeshift classrooms for teaching. They have no option but to share the classrooms with students of other classes. At present, the school has 250-300 students. The school authorities said since they do not have adequate space they have to accommodate multiple classes in a single room.
“The students do not get the attention they deserve as it is difficult to maneuver in the room. We have only three small rooms for 250-300 students that means we have to accommodate more 60 students in one room,” said Nazir Ahmad, a teacher, adding although the Government sanctioned new building for the school, the construction work was never completed.
“Functioning in the jurisdiction of Zone Ashmuqam of the district, the shabby conditions of the school reflect the sorry state of affairs. A classroom is set up outside the building where the teachers conduct the classes,” said the locals. The school is presently working from shabby two rooms situated adjacent to a newly constructed two-storey building, which was commissioned in the year 2013.
Locals of the area said that they have repeatedly raised the issue with the concerned officials but their pleas went unheard. “We have been demanding the completion of the construction work but authorities are not paying heed to our demands,” they said, adding that during the adverse weather conditions the teachers have to shut the school.
Situated in the far off area of the district, the school lacked all the basic facilities besides the Education Department has failed to construct the bathrooms for the students and teachers.
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