KATHY PEREIRA
st Thereza of Jesus High School in Canacona faces a peculiar problem. Its staff and students are hit by the stench of faeces and urine emanating from an area barely metres away from the school premises.
After patiently enduring the unbearable stench and dirt for years, the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) of the school petitioned the Canacona Municipal Council (CMC) to remove an old and incomplete structure lying in ruins in a private property right in front of the school building.
The incomplete structure in front of the school building is being used by people to answer nature’s call, leaving the entire area in unbearable stench. The waste discarded in the premises has also invited rats and snakes in the area.
According to sources, the structure lies on private land and is reportedly under litigation. During a recent PTA meeting, members raised the issue and highlighted the health and safety concerns, pointing out that snakes and rats have often been seen frequenting the area.
“Most often, there is a strong stench of urine and this is unbearable for students and teachers, especially during the feast fair and the weekly Saturday bazaar, as people frequently use the structure to answer nature’s call,” complained a staff member during the PTA meet.
Reacting to widespread complaints on cleanliness of the area, the PTA then adopted a resolution to request CMC to take suitable action to remove the structure, which would enable the area to remain clean.
“The structure does not provide any space to the school to conduct its morning assembly and the school is forced to conduct it in the school hall. Due to non-availability of any space in front of the school building, students are forced to cross the road to conduct Physical Education classes in the churchyard and this is also dangerous, as they have to cross the highway,” teacher Narayan Dessai said.
Acting on a PTA resolution, the association Chairman Albert Jacques submitted a memorandum to CMC Chairperson Simon Rebello. “I have assured the PTA that I will look into the matter. Given the ‘Swachh Bharat’ initiative, the presence of such structures which have been causing a sanitation problem and a health hazard, especially in close proximity to a school, needs to be looked into on a priority basis, no matter what the ground reality is. I will explore whatever is possible to get the place cleaned up very soon,” Rebello told Herald.
“I have already discussed the matter with the CMC Chief Officer, and the administration is trying to find ways so that we can explore whatever is possible to get the place cleaned up very soon. If needed, CMC will not hesitate to even petition to the court where two parties are reportedly under litigation over the property in question,” he added.
