Students forced to attend classes in waterlogged rooms in Patiala

District administration has declared the building as unsafe.

Students of Government Elementary School at Bahadurgarh continue to attend classes in waterlogged rooms. The stagnant water surrounding the school is leading to unhygienic conditions for the school staff.

Students during a class at Government Elementary School in Bahadurgarh village, Patiala. (HT Photo)

The building has already been declared unsafe by the district administration. The strength of the school is around 280.

One of the teachers requesting anonymity said, “It is difficult to teach students in such conditions.The building also has faulty wiring.”

“Even though it had rained one day ago but the classrooms remain to be waterlogged. It creates a danger of the classroom becoming a breeding ground for vector-borne diseases,” she said.

A staff member alleged that the current passing through damp walls in classrooms posses risk to students and faculty.

“We have informed the higher authorities about this but to no avail. This is not the first time. It has become a routine affair, whenever it rains,” another teacher said.

According to a district education department report, there are 946 elementary schools and 375 higher and secondary schools in Patiala. Around 200 schools require immediate renovation, says the report.

“We have prepared a list of unsafe school buildings and also divided it into different categories, including the ones that require immediate renovation,” Kumari said.