Govt school without building since 2012, students in danger

Rajesh Tandon

Poonch, Jan 31: Although successive governments have opened new schools in rural areas to promote education, a primary school at village Kulani is marred by a dispute.
According to the sources, the government had sanctioned a NPS school in village Kulani Khokhran of education zone Sathra in 2012 which is functioning in a single rented room.
Locals informed that suitable land for building of said school was proposed for the construction of building and same was passed by technical department.
They added that a person residing in Poonch for last 40 years came with a stay order thus hampering construction. However, the case was decided in favour of the education department.
The concerned ZEO along with technical department visited the spot and selected the site for construction of the building; the same person again became a hurdle and came with another stay order over the construction of building. The case was disposed off in the year 2015. Education department failed to construct the building due to some political pressure. The room where the school is functioning is in very dilapidated condition having no facilities.
It is pertinent to mention here that majority of the students have to walk at least 3 kms to reach the school which situated at the top of a mountain.
The matter was raised with the concerned authorities time and again but nothing happened.
Taking cognizance of a complaint lodged in the Grievance Cell , the Governor directed the DSEJ for enquiry who further directed CEO Poonch vide order no DSEJ/MW/2018/28802-04 Dated 28-7-18 for report.
A expert committee was formed by CEO Poonch vide order no CEOP/Complaint/10634-35 dated 09-08-2018.The committee submitted its report by following observations.
Locals informed that a local who is settled in Poonch town creating hurdles in the construction work and has no link with donated land.
The Room in which at present the school is functioning is in the dilapidated condition and in rainy season can collapse and can take the precious life of the students.
The committee submitted its report in the month of July 2018. Some local political representatives with the help of main stream political parties influenced education department who are playing with the precious lives of students and trying to snatch the basic fundamental rights of education.
They have appealed to Governor to take a serious note of the blunder and to deal with those who are creating mess for their personal interests