A distressing picture of neglected educational infrastructure has come to light from Kolchur village in the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh. At Pujari Para, the Gyan Jyoti Primary School has been functioning out of an extremely dilapidated structure for more than three years. Currently, 33 young pupils enrolled from class one through class five are squeezed together into a single crumbling structure. Crammed into this restricted space without separate classrooms, the children face severe difficulties even finding room to sit properly. The school also lacks basic sanitation amenities, leaving students without access to proper toilet facilities.
Leaking Roofs, Plastic Covers and Constant Safety Hazards
Village residents point out that the physical condition of the school premises is deplorable. During rains, water constantly seeps through the deteriorating ceiling, threatening teaching materials and students alike. To keep the rainwater out, residents and staff have had to resort to spreading plastic sheets and tarpaulins directly over the roof. Safety concerns remain high among the local community. Villagers recalled an alarming near-miss when a ceiling fan almost crashed onto a female teacher during an active class session. Due to the complete absence of proper infrastructure, students lack functional blackboards, adequate desks, or orderly seating arrangements, forcing them to sit haphazardly on the floor even while writing examinations.
Building Shift Fails to Resolve Structural Neglect
Sharing details of the ongoing crisis, local villager Heera Singh Patel explained that authorities had previously relocated the school to an alternate building in an attempt to protect the children from potential structural collapse. However, this change of venue provided no real relief. The alternate building suffered from the very same flaws, with rainwater leaking through its roof, forcing teachers to hold classes underneath plastic coverings once again. Furthermore, the substitute facility provides neither clean drinking water arrangements nor functional toilets, leaving the fundamental hardships completely unaddressed.
Three-Year Delay Persists Despite Appeals to Lawmakers
Village deputy sarpanch Sukaldhar Kashyap stated that an official proposal for the construction of a brand-new school building was submitted approximately three years ago. Despite the passage of several years, no practical initiative has been launched to construct a safe educational space. Kashyap emphasized that community representatives personally approached both the regional Member of Parliament and the local Member of Legislative Assembly regarding the matter, yet their persistent appeals have failed to produce any corrective administrative action.
