Save our schools

The sound of children playing resonates outside the Chalavadi Palaya Anganwadi Kendra in Cottonpet. But step inside and the playfulness of the children is cut with a sense of dread. All around the playground lie over 100 gas cylinders, just sitting there…waiting. And if that ticking time-bomb is not enough to spark a frenzy of angst, then step into the classroom, or should we say, the darkened hole in the wall. Children rub shoulders with busy spiders, spinning their webs in the dank nooks and crannies of this ‘learning centre’, where the only art is the paint peeling from the walls, and portraits of damp spreading their miasma.

“We have repeatedly informed the BBMP authorities about the pathetic condition of this place. After every visit they claim they will either repair the building, or demolish it and build a better structure, but nothing happens,” said Pushpalatha SN, an Anganwadi worker and teacher.

But the blatant disrespect for the children’s safety and well-being does not end with horrific classrooms and deadly gas cylinders; the callousness extends to the toilets as well. The lack of water has rendered them unusable, which means children have to answer nature’s call in the playground opposite. “What can we do? We just send the boys and girls separately,” Pushpalatha said.
C Renuka, the supervisor of the Anganwadi, states the gas cylinders were dumped on the premises by “some people next door”, who claim to have permission to do so. They say that since the cylinders are empty it is not a problem. But are they really? Does anybody know for sure?

The BBMP, during one of their inspections, cast an eye over the many cylinders littering the premises and came up with a novel solution. “They told us to just keep an eye on the children while they play,” Renuka said. One guesses that makes it all fine then.
But believe it or not, according to workers at Chalavadi Palaya Anganwadi Kendra, the school is in better condition than the one at Bakshi Garden. They took DNA’s reporters to the so-called nursery, which resembled a dumping ground. The room, where the children were supposed to experience life’s building blocks harboured no light, and sharp metallic objects glinted lethally all over the place.

“When it rains, the place is a mess. We just send the children back home,” said Kusum Latha, an Anganwadi worker. Like the one at Cottonpet, the Bakshi Garden Anganwadi Kendra has no usable bathroom. “The children just use the streets for their toilet needs,” Kusum said.

Zameer Ahmed Khan, the MLA from Chamrajpet constituency, said he visited the Anganwadi Kendras a week ago. “I have submitted a proposal to the BBMP commissioner to get the place renovated. If it does not get done, I will release my grant, in the next 15 to 20 days,” he said, adding, “over two weeks ago I gave notice to those who have kept gas cylinders there, and in the next one month, they will be removed. The bathrooms will be repaired soon. However I have not received any complaint on water problems,” he said.

When DNA contacted the councillor of the area, GA Ashwathnarayan, he said he was unaware of the situation and that he would visit the place soon. So all that’s left to do is wait…and hope the children are safe. And if anything tragic happens, you now know whom to blame.