Barkas govt girls school works at a snail's pace

Barkas: The first government school in Barkas which was constructed by the Nizam for the Nizam's military is wallowing neglect by the state government – construction of new building has been stopped for last five months.

Government Girls School at Maisaram was started in four rooms in 1935 with coeducation. A sports stadium was also built for it. Later it was converted into girls school. "For the past many years, the primary and the high schools along with junior college have been run on the same campus.

Due to greater demand for admissions, the junior college was shifted to a new building this year, and the old college building was razed to take up new works. The works began in December and should be completed by August, but since February the works have been stopped," said Abdullah Bin Ali Bahmaid, a social activist.

Abdullah Bahmaid said that during these months, only pillars were built and the remaining works were stuck for the last five months. According to the contractor, the works were held up as the government stopped sanctioning funds.

There is no security at school even CCTV cameras are not installed. Since the old structure was razed, the school also lost privacy and the local residents are pooling funds to raise a partition wall to ensure privacy of girls school. "Now we are trying to install a temporary tin shade at the school," said Abdullah Bahmaid.

According to the school staff, "There are around 1,200 students in primary and high schools. The school runs in 2 shifts – primary school in morning and high school in evening.

Due to space crunch, the school is running in shifts, if the new building is constructed the school can run in a single shift as there will be separate buildings for primary and higher sections," said Sabiya Sayeed, high school section in-charge. The new building is being constructed for the high school which has 705 students.

No privacy for girls

Sayeed also said that after the old building was demolished, there was no boundary wall and there being no privacy for girl students, "We, staff, requested the contractor many times to fix a temporary tin shade wall for the privacy and as it's a girl school. Recently during recent holidays, someone tried to enter school by breaking open a lock and a complaint was also filed with Chandrayangutta police station about the issue."

No morning assembly

"Due to open area we are not conducting assembly in the school," she rued. According to students, the school is one of the best government schools in nearby areas. Many students come from far-away areas and also from Jalpally village. But since the structure is razed, the school is now open without boundary wall, no morning assembly is being conducted.

Also, there are not enough toilets on the campus. Of the six, only two are in use. In the remaining toilets, the contractor stored cement and other construction materials.

"It is very difficult for students to use only two toilets with such a huge student strength. Besides, there is no drinking water facility. Students and teachers are drinking water from outside dispenser which is installed by the residents," said a student.