Suhail Bhat
Srinagar, May 26: Government Upper Primary School Wahab Sahab area of Shar village on the outskirts of Pampore Town in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district operates from three rooms, accommodating over 80 students owing to space constraints.
Out of the three rooms, one room has been dedicated to the office while nine classes are operating from other two rooms. In one classroom, there are three boards where teachers teach various subjects. To meet the space constraints, the school authorities have converted the corridor of the building into a makeshift classroom wherein three-four classes are held.
The teachers said that lack of space has adversely affected the quality of education. “From KG to 8th standard, we have to adjust nine classes in two rooms. We are facing problems in teaching. The students’ do not get the education they deserve,” a teacher said.
During bad weather, he said, things get worse for them. “If weather is good, we hold a few classes under the open sky. Bad weather doubles our problems,” he said.
Established in 1985 the school is located in the upper reaches and the majority of the students come from the weaker section of the society. However, nearly three decades have passed since the school was built but authorities have failed to upgrade it.
Muneeb, class 6th student, lamented that they are unable to pay attention in the class and often get distracted. “As many teachers are delivering lectures at the same time, our attention gets diverted. It badly affects our studies. I want the Government to provide additional rooms to the school so that we can study with peace here,” he said.
Another student said that they are not getting proper education despite having good teachers. “Our teachers teach us well but lack of space hinder our education,” he said, adding they appeal authorities to look into the issue.
Chief Education Officer Pulwama, Naseem ul Gani Kahteeb, admitted that the school is facing space constraints. “The issue is genuine and need to be addressed. We have space constraints there and hence new additional structures cannot be built,” he said.
However, he said that the department has identified land for the construction of a new building. “There is no space available at the existing place so we decided to construct a new structure at a different place. The issue will be resolved with the construction of a new structure,” he said.
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