A school neighbouring sewers

Brains and a drain

The surroundings of a school are supposed to be clean and green. School premises should create an ambience to inspire children to study in good environs. Going to school should not become a torture for children.

But at Devaragudipalli village on the outskirts of Bagepalli taluk, the surroundings of the Government Primary School are marked with drainage on all the four corners of the building and also a big drainage passes in front of the school. The Government Primary School is located behind the Gram Panchayat office.

Difficult life

The drainage running in front of the school is an eyesore to the students and the staff. They find it difficult to go to school everyday.

Foul smell and stench emanates from the drainage, making it difficult for the students to walk to the school. The windows of the classrooms cannot be kept open as the smell wafts through leading to nasty smell.

The students find it difficult to concentrate on studies. The health of the children is at risk. Teachers, students, staff, parents, everybody have to cross the drainage to enter the school premises.

Dumping place

Most of the village members dispose the waste in this drainage and thus, the drainage is overflowing with garbage and silt.

Since it is never cleaned, there is no scope for the garbage to flow. The garbage heap is choking the drains, allowing the drainage water to stagnate there.

Other important Centres

Not just the Government Primary School, the rooms where food is prepared and served, the Continuing Education Centre, the Anganwadi Centre and the Literacy Centre are also located beside the school.

Since the school does not even have a playground, the children are forced to play in the surrounding areas. And sometimes, the children end up playing near the drainage, thereby posing health and safety risks.

Action necessary

The villagers are of the opinion that atleast if measures are taken to ensure free flow of sewage water, then most of the problems will be addressed. The authorities concerned should realise the hazards of having a drainage in front of the school and take cleanliness measures.

They should also clear the silt from the drain. Stone slabs can be laid over the drain to avoid the dangers of kids falling into it.

Tree-planting and green projects can be implemented around the school to reduce the unpleasantness spreaded by the garbage mess.

Probably this would make the school more pleasant, the villagers are of the opinion.