In absence of rooms, primary students brave cold, sit in open for classes

Seated in the open, students from classes I to V are forced to endure freezing conditions while learning their lessons at Government Primary School in Prem Nagar village near Hansi town in the district.

With cold wave conditions intensifying in the region, the students sit on mats in the absence of adequate infrastructure.

The school has only three rooms that serve as an office, a storeroom, and classrooms. The rooms are insufficient to cater to the needs of 108 students enrolled in primary classes.

The school authorities said there was a proposal to construct a two-storey building with five rooms, but only the foundation stone had been laid so far.

Village residents said there was urgent need for the development of infrastructure to provide a conducive learning environment. The sarpanch and parents called for swift action to address the issue and ensure that children were not deprived of their right to education in a safe and comfortable setting.

The school has four teachers.

The head teacher, Nirmala Devi, informed that work had begun on the new building, but until its completion, they had no option but to hold classes in the open. "We use one room as an office and the second room serves as a store for furniture and midday meals. We have to adjust students in the third room. Since all the rooms are in a dilapidated condition, it is unsafe for students to be indoors,” she said.

Sarpanch Arvind Kumar said he had taken up the matter with the authorities. “I fail to understand why work is not being undertaken after laying the foundation stone for the new building. I will take up the issue with Hansi MLA Vinod Bhayana, who is set to visit our village tomorrow,” he said.

Several parents had refused to enroll their wards in the school due to poor infrastructure and preferred to send them to a private school as they were concerned about their safety, he stated.