Shocking as it may be, a school development and monitoring committee (SDMC), which was formed to ensure that the school functions effectively, has demanded closure of Government Lower Primary School at Kadanuru Koppal in Arkalgud taluk in the district.
Going one step forward, the SDMC has also urged the education department to withdraw funds to the tune of Rs 2.52 lakh released for the construction of a new building for the school.
The demand comes in the wake of residents not evincing any interest. Furthermore, residents say that they don’t need the school. As of now 15 children are studying in the school.
The school doesn’t have a building and is at present functioning at a temple in the village. The school was started in the village of 50 families in 1998.
Even though government sanctioned funds for a new building, the construction didn’t materialise as no land was available. None of the villagers were willing to part with land for the constructing the building.
The existing building, which is in a dilapidated condition, is used by villagers for holding marriages. The school has no drinking water facility, no toilets and not even a bench or a desk. Every year during Ganesha festival, villagers install an idol of the deity and use the room for 27 days. Adding to the disturbance is the puja held at the temple.
Teacher on deputation
The school has two teachers for taking classes from first standard to fifth standard. While one teacher is on deputation, another teacher Narayan has been working for nine years.
If the teachers go for a meeting, then fifth standard students take care of responsibilities.
The students take account of gas, rice and cereals, which are provided under the Akshara Dasoha scheme. Last year, MLA A Manju had identified a site for construction of school and laid the foundation stone. However, neighbours complained that the land belonged to them and didn’t allow the construction of the building.
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