5 months on, pupils attend classes at panchayat ghar

Tribune News Service

Aakanksha N Bhardwaj

Jalandhar, February 23

Students of Government Primary School, Lohian, have been attending classes at a panchayat ghar since September last year. They were shifted here after the roof of a verandah collapsed at the school after floods.

Roof of verandah collapsed at school

A major tragedy was averted when the roof of a verandah collapsed at Government Primary School in Lohian block. Fortunately, school staff and students were not present as the school got over when the incident took place. The students were later shifted to a nearby panchayat ghar.

Even after five months, no one is aware of the present status of the school. The building is yet to be repaired and restored for students. Sources said an application to declare the school building unsafe was sent five months ago, but nothing had been done so far.

Notably, a major tragedy was averted when the roof of a verandah collapsed at the school in Lohian block. Fortunately, staff and students were not present as the school got over when the incident took place. The students were later shifted to a nearby panchayat ghar.

The Block Primary Education Officer (BPEO) and an official from the engineering wing sent a proposal to the higher authorities to declare the building unsafe.

As per information, the school building developed cracks after the floods hit Lohian block. As a result, the roof collapsed. The kitchen and rooms of the school were also in a poor condition. There is only one teacher whereas the number of students in the school is 25.

An anganwadi centre is also being run at the panchayat ghar. Anganwadi children and school students from Class 1 to 5 study together in one room, creating disturbances.

Teachers said several schools in the Lohian block had developed cracks after the floods.

Kulwinder Singh, president of the Democratic Teachers’ Front and a resident of Sidhupur village, said the status of the school was not clear yet. It also did not receive any grant.

Deputy District Education Officer Manish said: “I do not know whether any grant was received or not. I will check and then confirm”.

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