Dilapidated school building poses risk to students

Ranjit Thakur
Doda, May 9

The building of Government Middle School, Halla, in Gundana tehsil of Doda district is in a dilapidated condition, thus posing a serious threat to the lives of students.

Situated around 45 km from the district headquarters, the school’s rooftop and walls have been lying broken for years. Moreover, it lacks all basic facilities such as hygienic toilets, potable water, playground and safe building.

Around 30 students have been enrolled in the four-decade-old school. Locals said a few years ago, another building was constructed adjoining the old school but it got damaged over the course of time.

“Substandard material was used to construct the new building. Also, no proper drainage system was built, which resulted in the damage that too within a few years while the old building is still in a better condition,” said, Farid Naik, president, District Rural Youth Welfare Association.

Meanwhile, Zonal Education Officer, Gundana, Abdul Latif said, “The school got a new building around 10 years ago, but it was not constructed properly.”