A school where sump is used to dump garbage

The Government Urdu Model Primary School at DJ Halli where dozens of students took ill in a suspected case of food poisoning after eating mid-day meals on Friday afternoon is in utter neglect with garbage strewn all over the campus.

There are two schools on the campus: one for boys, another for girls. A total of 720 boys and 950 girls study here. But the school has neither proper toilets nor drinking water facility. The sump meant for storing water is actually used for dumping garbage!

Parents of children studying at the school complained about lack of basic facilities. One of them, Mubeen Taj, said, “Girls have to go home to relieve themselves while boys attend to the nature’s call in a corner of the ground. But what about girls whose homes are located far away?”

Unusable toilet

Toilets located in the back side of the school are not fit for use. They lack doors and have not been cleaned in ages. As a result, an unbearable stench emanates from them.

The unavailability of drinking water at the school means students have to bring water from home every day. A parent fumed: “Many government schools do not have proper facilities but this one does not have even basic amenities.”

The school has no security guards either. “Other boys and anti-social elements loiter in the institution during school hours. They come here to smoke, play cricket and misbehave with girls. If we ask them not to disturb the students, they threaten us,” a member of the school staff said on the condition of anonymity. “There is no one to guard the school once teachers and students leave. These issues were brought to the notice of higher authorities but they took no action.”

The back side and corner of the school premises have become dumping spots and public urinals. People relieve themselves there early in the morning and late at night, making the place stenchful, teachers said.
 
Following the food poisoning incident, 10 policemen were deployed at the school to check untoward incidents.