Students forced to study under open sky in cold at Sopore Govt School

ZEO cites non-availability of land as a hurdle in construction of new building

A government school in Sopore is witnessing a grim situation as students are being forced to take their classes under open sky during the prevailing cold.

Established in 1962, students study under open sky at 'Govt Middle School, Adipora' as the school lacks basic infrastructure such as classrooms.

A teacher pleading anonymity at the school told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) the school has four rooms–one for teachers and three for students. Also, the school has only three teachers.

The condition of the school is deplorable as the floors are damaged and windows and tables are broken.

“Earlier, we had around 121 students enrolled in the school, but lack of space forced us to shift the classes from 4th - 8th comprising 52 students to another building near High School Adipora, some 2.5 km away from our school,” the teacher said.

"Due to the dilapidated condition of the school, the students are being forced to study under an open sky,” the teacher added.

Similarly, another teacher said that they brought the issue into the notice concerned in the school education department to no avail.

Similarly, locals also said that it is very disappointing seeing the students sitting on the ground in open. "During adverse weather conditions, the students are asked to go home", they said.

Zonal education officer (ZEO), Dangerpora admitted to KNO that the school is lacking space but they shifted some classes to the high school Adipora structure.

“There is no land available. Otherwise we have a provision to construct another structure. We had already shifted some classes to the high school building,” he said.

Upon being asked about the lack of teachers, the ZEO said that there is a shortage of teachers but it can be fulfilled when there is a new recruitment.

"We have some schools where there are only 6 or 7 teachers for nine classes but what to do, we have to accommodate as there is no new recruitment or adjustment in this zone,” the official added—(KNO)