More than 70 per cent of government school students fail to attend classes. The scenario remains unchanged even as the new academic year begins. Several city-based government schools wore a deserted look on the reopening day on Tuesday.
Students have to struggle with poor infrastructure, and no water or toilet facilities. Even with the Right to Education Act in force, government schools are plagued with such problems. According to M. Ravinder, general secretary AP Teacher’s Federation, Hyderabad has a total of 803 government schools with 70,000 students in attendance, out of which only 670 schools function regularly. Government Primary School at New Bhoiguda operates out of Golla Komataih municipal community hall, as they don’t have a building of their own.
The community hall has three classrooms with asbestos sheets for roofs with huge holes in it and a large garbage bin just outside the primary classroom. “The community hall has no other rooms to shift students during the rainy season, so our children have to sit in class rooms with water dripping from the ceiling and bear the stink from the garbage bin. Stray dogs take shelter in the classrooms during the night and often litter in the rooms as they remain open,” said Bala Krishna, a parent, whose child studies in New Bhoiguda Government School.
With a total strength of 150 students, Government Girl’s Primary School in West Marredpally has only three congested rooms with no toilet facility for girls and very few staff members. “Our students have to run back home as we don’t have toilet facility. As teachers we don’t even have a staff room. We have requested the government for three more rooms as we have first to fifth standards, but we have not been provided a new building till date,” said Leela Bargavi, a government teacher.
Another Government High School, Goshacat has no water facility for students and teachers. Even after a huge protest during the last academic year, regarding facilities like separate toilets for boys and girls, electricity and water supply for students, government schools still lack in basic facilities.