Primary school in shambles despite govt’s tall claims

Teacher paid from his own pocket to construct classroom

RAHIM YAR KHAN: The Government Boys Primary School, which is located in Chak No 56, Thal Hasan Union Council, Rukunpur, is buckling under problems which keep on piling. The school has been neglected by the concerned authorities. Tall claims made by the government regarding improving the infrastructure in government institutions appear to have fallen flat, especially at Government Boys Primary School which looking more and more dilapidated.

The school, which was established a few years ago, lacks proper classrooms to accommodate the large number of students.

A survey conducted by The Express Tribune revealed that not a single classroom was clean or safe. Students are forced to study in deplorable conditions since the school lacks basic facilities.

They are made to sit on the floor, be it either winters or summers, with a serious lack of basic facilities. The school’s states of affairs are poor and have not improved. At present, there are more than 160 students enrolled in the school which is greater than its capacity. The school lacks walls, washrooms, classes, furniture and other basic facilities. Due to a serious dearth of schools in the area, students from neighbouring areas also attended at this school.

However, their woes are not limited to the lack of basic facilities. The classrooms where the students study in have cracked walls.

The appearance of these rooms is a far cry from what a classroom should look like. For school staff, there are several other issues.

Students and teachers have urged the government to address these issues but to no avail. They have been protesting against the school’s state of affairs and have urged the education department and Punjab chief minister to take notice of the matter. A few years ago, a teacher at the school paid from his own pocket to construct a classroom.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 28^th, 2018.