The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Yet another government school lies neglected

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Friday, Nov 21, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Yet another government school lies neglected

D.V.L. Padma Priya

The Government Primary and Girls High School, Old Alwal, not only lacks power but toilets too

Photo: Mohd. Yousuf

SORRY STATE: Students sit in a dark and crammed room at the Government Primary and Girls High School in Old Alwal.

HYDERABAD: “There is a certain stereotype attached to how a government school should be like and the government makes sure this stereotype is adhered to,” remarks a teacher of the Government Primary and Girls High School, Old Alwal.

The stereotype being that the school, like many others, not only lacks basic facilities such as toilets but has no power too. In fact, it has been ‘powerless’ since its inception in the 60s. A 29 inch television gathers dust in a corner of the headmistress’s room while two computers gifted by the government had to be returned as there was no power.

Honour for school

Ironically, the school has been chosen as a ‘SUCCESS’ institution which means it has to take classes in English from seventh standard but there are no English teachers! And because of its tag the government sanctioned 10 computers too was refused.

The 10-room poorly maintained and ventilated building sans proper flooring accommodates more than 625 students - 325 primary schoolchildren besides 300 girls in the high school. Each class is packed with 70 students and has hardly any space for extra benches or even the teacher to move.

Inadequate space has forced a classroom to be converted into kitchen to cook the mid-day meals, yet the classes for fifth standard continue in the same room with a partition. The ‘kitchen’ was once a well and it shows up during rain when water seeps in from the ground and roof leaks from the top.

Agony for girls

To add to their woes, the septic tank overflows. “We were forced to re-route the drainage out on the street because of this,” points out a teacher. Sweepers and a night watchman have been hired privately and paid from the pockets of the headmistress.

It is an agony for girls, especially with just one toilet catering to all the students. “You can imagine our plight when we spend the whole day in the school,” complains a girl student. Despite all this, the school boasts of having an IITian as its alumni.

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Andhra Pradesh