Damaged in 2017 Govt school building still in shambles. Authorities in deep slumber.

SHYAM SOOD

RAJOURI AUGUST 28:–Government Primary School building in Rajouri district ,which was damaged twice by storms followed by incessant rains in 2015 & 2017 respectively, presently lying in shambles.
But concerned School Education authorities have miserably failed to release the required funds as per detailed project report submitted by the Chief Education Officer (CEO) in the month of December last year.
The school is situated in the remote Ghai bass village in Khawas Education Zone in Kotranka sub-district and since 2017 the school, presently having registered strength of more than 30 students, is running in the house of Noor Hussain.
”As the School Education authorities failed miserably to come to the rescue of the hapless poor children, the old school building has turned into ruins” said the locals.
After the hue and cry was raised by the locals to awake the authorities from deep slumber, on 23/12/2020 the then Zonal Education Officer (ZEO)along with the then Principal of HSS, Narla visited the school.
“A new building is required to be sanctioned for the smooth functioning of the school as whole the building is damaged” said ZEO in a report forwarded to CEO, Rajouri.
On ZEO’s report, Ch Gulzar Hussain, CEO Rajouri vide his office letter (in December 2020) informed the Director School Education about the dilapidated condition of the school building (at Ghai bass) and demanded an amount of Rs18 lac for the construction of 3 concrete rooms and a veranda as the school is situated in an isolated area on the hilltop.
“No response has been received till date from the higher authorities in this matter” said CEO.
In 2008-09 the school was constructed by the then Naib-Sarpanch Sain with a cost of Rs 4.40 lac using wooden trusses and CGI sheets instead of concrete slab reportedly due to inadequate funds and no road connectivity.
The building was handed over to the department in 2010 and in 2015 the entire roof (CGI sheets) was blown away by a wind storm.
Again the roof was repaired by the then ex-sarpanch Baldev Singh with a cost of Rs1.50 lac but in 2017 the entire roof was again blown away by thunderstorms followed by incessant rains.
Local Panchyat members, including MA Gaurse, Panch, and even the school staff requested the concerned Education Authorities for the construction of the school building, but to date needed funds (estimated cost of Rs 18 lakh sent by the CEO) were not provided to date.