Primary education infrastructure in a shambles in Bolangir

Bolangir: Though the State government claims to have rolled out various schemes to boost primary education in the State, the ground reality totally paints a different picture.

The students in different parts of the State are mainly suffering due to lackadaisical attitude of the officials at the grassroots level. The Gualbadi Primary School under Saintala block in Bolangir district is the glaring example of such neglect.

After the building of the primary school was declared 'unsafe', the students up to standard five are being imparted education under a tree.

“The school lacks proper buildings while some others are in dilapidated condition. With no other option, the students are being taught under the trees. The students are coming to the school only for the sake of mid-day meals," alleged Ranjit Singh, said a resident of Saintala.

Similarly the situation is no different at the Kuturamunda Primary school where the students are provided with the mid-day meal on the road due to unavailability of school building.

Due to such poor infrastructure in several schools in the district, the attendance of students is declining day by day.

On the other hand, the District sub-collector said that several steps are being taken to resolve such issues at the earliest.

“ If the Gram Panchayat Development plan is implemented, such issues won't crop up. We will certainly take stock of the overall situation at the earliest,"  Titlagarh sub collector, Sudhakar Nayak said.