PRIMARY EDUCATION

A school is running under a tree for the past eleven years. The tiny students of '188-Kharija Gopalpur Nagra Barman Netaji Vidyapith' are learning their lessons under a mango tree round the year at 188-Kharija Gopalpur village under Jamaldah Gram Panchayat in Mekhliganj block. In winter it is not so hard to study under the mango tree but during the ensuing monsoon months it will be tough as it was in previous years.

The school was established in September 2000. Since its establishment the classes are running under the open sky. The only shelter is a mango tree adjacent to the Bhandani temple in that village. Villagers said the District Primary School Council ignored the necessity to construct a school building following controversies over naming of the school. DPSC sources however preferred to make no comment.

There are 58 students and three teachers including a headmaster. The school is under Mekhliganj circle of the DPSC. As there is no school building there exists no toilet facility too. The mid-day meal scheme is yet to launch here. The students get uncooked rice only. The teachers have to keep the school's educational accessories in neighbouring residences.

The headmaster of the school, Mr Swapan Kumar Sinha said they made appeals to the chairman of the DPSC and the district magistrate several times to erect a building of the school but nothing was done till now. He however admitted that a fund was allotted for construction of the building but a controversy over naming of the school halted the initiative to construct the building. Meanwhile, the number of students has decreased from 120 to 58.

Secretary of the Village Education Committee, Mr Pradip Barman said they have been assured of official approvals for construction of buildings for a higher primary school and a primary school. After receiving of the required approval they will start construction of the school building, he said.