Poor hostel facilities turn students' life miserable

Deogarh: At a time when the Odisha government is making tall claims of providing quality education and facilities to students, the girls’ hostel of the Government Educational Research and Training centre in the district tells a different story.

More than 60 girl students are residing in the hostel which has only three rooms. The girls alleged that they have to study, sleep and eat on the same bed allotted to them.They also had to overcome the weather conditions as the hostel building is in a dilapidated condition.

“The rooms are in a bad condition. A requisite amount as hostel development fee was deposited during the time of admission but we are not getting basic facilities in the hostel, rued a girl student.

Besides, the students alleged that the hostel lacks proper sanitation facilities which is further adding to their woes. Moreover, the girl students have to depend on the boys hostel for drinking water and even for other purpose.

“We have repaired one of the toilets of our own. When we reported our problems to the principal, he scolded us and told to either adjust accordingly or leave the hostel”, alleged another student.

On the other hand, the Principal of the institution refuted the allegations brought in by the girls and said that the concerned department has been directed to repair the hostel.

Besides, the principal of the institute, Rabi Narayan Baghar said he had informed the students about the problems the hostel has and he allowed them to stay only after they agreed to adjust.

“We have informed the PWD and State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) that the hostel needs renovation," Baghar added.