Team Herald
VASCO: The Mormugao Municipal High School, which is located on the first floor of the municipality’s administrative building, has a leaking roof. To prevent the floor from becoming wet, the helpless school management has to use buckets to collect the water. This has become a routine.
The leaking-roof issue is not new; every year the school management has been complaining about the same to the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC), which owns the school. However, the situation has not improved, even though MMC had conducted an inspection and even prepared estimates for repair works. Due to this delay, the wooden rooftop has not only become weak, but can even collapse anytime.
“Our child is at constant risk due to pending repairs. If the MMC has prepared estimates, then surely the file will be biting dust in a cupboard. How much time does one need to repair a roof?” said Ramkrishna Harijan, whose child is studying in the municipal school.
Like Harijan, other parents feel that the leaking roof poses a threat to their children. They have demanded immediate repairs to stop the leakages.
“We don’t understand what has stopped MMC, which is an ‘A Class’ municipality, from carrying out repairs. Is it because the children there come from poor families?” said a parent who did not wish to be named.
Other people who visit the first floor of the building have also questioned the MMC’s lethargy. A visitor John D’Silva stated, “We are surprised to see that buckets are kept on the floor to collect rainwater falling from the ceiling. We pity the school children who have to face inconveniences.
Incidentally, in July, MMC Chairperson Lavina D’Souza had prepared a note to the technical section to immediately repair the roof, but her assurance was not fulfilled.
When contacted, Municipal High School Chairman and Mormugao Councillor Manesh Arolkar said, “One cannot climb on the roof as it has become very weak. We need to wait for the rains to stop. I also hope that this work will be taken up along with the restoration work of the building.”
