The Government Urdu Lower Primary School, established in 1914 at Jogupalya, continues to be crippled by lack of basic amenities—there is neither a toilet nor water to help teachers and students attend nature’s call. Ironically, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), which had constructed toilets a few years ago, demolished them later, thus depriving students and teachers a basic amenity.
Recently, the Supreme Court had directed the authorities to ensure toilets are built at all government schools but the BBMP is not aware of it. While clearing a cow-shed, the BBMP demolished the toilets, too. “The land belongs to the BBMP. We followed instructions of higher authorities to clear encroachments on BMBP land,’’ said PM Lingappa, assistant executive engineer, Domalur division, BBMP.
Answering a query on the demolition of the toilets, Lingappa said the toilets were not in a good condition. “We demolished them because they were unfit for use by the public. BBMP has sanctioned funds for the construction of toilets. Construction will start within a month,’’ said Lingappa without answering the query on how teachers and students will attend nature’s call till the construction is over.
Yakoob Rawat, president, school development committee, said funds sanctioned for the construction of a building remain unutilised due to petty politics and BBMP’s objection. “The education department has sanctioned `3 lakh for the construction ofthe building. All arrangements were made to commence the construction, but BBMP objected saying the land belongs to it. Recently, the education department has sanctioned `50,000 to take up repair work, but again the BBMP played spoilsport,’’ Rawat said.
With the lack of basic amenities, the number of students has been falling over the last few years. Once brimming with more than 100 students, the school now has only nine students and two teachers.
“I have been working here for the last 15 years. There were 40 students when I joined the school,” says M Susheela, a Kannada teacher.
“There is no way to prevent miscreants from entering the school premises. While a few of them use the premises to sleep, others use it for gambling. At times, they quarrel and their shouting and yelling make it tough for us to concentrate,” said Reshma, headmistress in charge.
“Miscreants also lay their hands on whatever available in the premises. The police are yet to nab those who have stolen an LPG cylinder from the school, even after 18 months. We had filed a complaint with Ulsoor police station. Police registered a case (FIR No. 0345, dated 29.8.2010) but are yet to nab the thieves,” said Reshma. When contacted, M Muni Reddy, block education officer, said efforts are on to merge the school with Government Urdu Higher Primary School situated near the Government Boys High School also at Jogupalya.
“I am hopeful of completing the formalities by the end of this academic year,’’ said Reddy, declining to comment on the lack of basic amenities at the primary school. Shakila Bano, cluster resource person (Urdu), is leaving no stone unturned to retain the identity of the 98-year-old school.
“I have requested a few philanthropists to donate land for the school. If everything goes well, we should be able to merge this school with the Government Urdu Higher Primary School,’’ said Bano.
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