Toxic learning environment: Buried in books by the Budhni stream

Students and teachers in dire straits at govt school devoid of the basics.

PESHAWAR: Attending class on the bank of the Budhni stream, students of the Government Primary School Abadullah probably fail to see the urgency in the ‘education emergency’ imposed by authorities in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P).

The institute lacks the most basic facilities and even a boundary wall, thus exposing students to security risks. There are just two classrooms, both of which are barely standing, for the 150 boys and girls. Coupled with a lack of electricity, toilets and running water, the children are soldiering on in an environment toxic for learning.

The water hand pump of the school has been damaged for the last two years and students are forced to quench their thirst from a contaminated channel nearby. The main wall was damaged due to floods in 2008, while locals say the classrooms are in such a state that they could come crashing down on the children at any stage. Due to the crumbling classrooms and the institute’s proximity with Budhni stream, students attend classes on the bank.

Fourth-grader Laiba fears it is a matter of time before the long stream claims one of the pupils.

The student feels envy when looking at the facilities of other institutes, while conditions at GPS Abadullah are deteriorating by the day.

Imtiyaz Khan, a resident of the area, says parents in the locality are eager to send their children to a decent school. He requests Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairperson Imran Khan to visit the area and take a look at the school’s condition.

Hamza, another student, says the students have no choice but to sit by the bank and remain at the mercy of the weather. He demanded authorities take serious notice and provide the government-run institute with the basics.

Hamza says lack of toilets means that students have to use the fields to attend nature’s call. He dreams of the day when his school is well-furnished and equipped with all the facilities for a conducive learning environment.

Shaukat Khan, the father of a student, says the government institute is located in the PK-I constituency and the elected representative has not visited the area even once after being elected to the provincial assembly.

He blames K-P Elementary and Secondary Education department for the sad state of affairs, saying officials had purchased vehicles worth millions but done nothing to alleviate the suffering of students at such schools.

GPS Abadullah teacher Bakhtiyar confirmed there is no water, electricity or toilet. He says authorities have been informed about these issues time and again, but officials fail to provide the necessary consideration.

Minister for Education Atif Khan says the government’s priority is improving the infrastructure of schools which are in dilapidated condition. He adds the government was focusing on increasing the enrolment rate at schools and that the next step would be to provide all facilities at schools.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 27^th, 2015.