250-yr-old Urdu school cries for attention

The building where the Government Primary Urdu School in Mulbagal town is being run, can be easily mistaken for an ancient structure, which has turned into nothing but a monumental piece.

The foundation stone, laid for the building, dates back to 1867, shows that the school building is not less than 205 years old! It is surprising to note that the school is still being run in the same structure, which has gone weak, with most of its portions almost giving way.

As many as 155 students are studying in the school from standard first till fifth. The older
portion of the building hosts a huge hall, with four classrooms.

Most of the classes are run in the hall and in the four classrooms. Recently, three more classrooms were constructed. A huge compound wall runs around the school, which is now in a dilapidated condition.  

The main gates in the compound are closed, owing to the dangers posed by the walls which have developed cracks and may collapse any moment. The children are not allowed to go near the compound nor use the main gate.

68-year-old Prof Abdul Gafur, who has retired from his teaching services at the school, fondly recollects that as a student of the school, he was once locked up in one of the classrooms, for not doing his homework.

He has many such sweet memories of the school, which he loves sharing with his students.

But, unfortunately, he says, the school, which was once the pride of the town, was now reduced to a state of neglect. Even before it reaches its final stage of collapse, some measures have to be taken to repair the building. Due to inevitable reasons, the classes are still being run in the old classrooms, he added.

It was high time the Education department authorities did something about the school, even before any mishap took place.

There is yet another school, popularly known as the Bangla School, which was constructed in 1925 in the town, which also needs immediate attention. The building of this school has also gone weak.