The ship of safety has sailed from the govt primary schools of the port town

VASCO: The portion of the roof of the Government High School, Vasco (Main) also housing the primary section which collapsed last week, has raised safety concerns over the pathetic condition of several primary school buildings across Mormugao taluka.

This incident has exposed the walls of the main school building which could result in students getting electrocuted. Due to the school building’s dilapidated condition, the authorities concerned have started shifting students of a few government school buildings elsewhere.

These buildings are expected to be repaired before monsoon; however, the “neglect” on the part of the Education Department seems obvious.

Since the students studying in these government schools come from poor families, the parents are reluctant to raise their voices against the pathetic state of these school buildings.

When asked what precautions have been taken to keep the buildings intact, the PWD officials appeared clueless.

The PWD and Directorate of Education were informed about the pathetic situation of the school building of ‘Vasco Main’, which could crumble any moment. However, no heed has been paid to the school until a part of the slab collapsed last Friday. Classes of Std V to X were held in GPS at Mangor Hill while classes for primary students are held in the office of Mormugao Assistant Educational Officer.

Vasco MLA Daji Salkar informed that the building’s condition has worsened and is beyond repairs and there is a proposal to construct a new school building here. The proposal has been sent to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.

Confusion prevails on ferrying the primary students to Mangor Hill as the classes commence in the afternoon.

Similar is the situation of the GPS building at Baina as efforts are on to shift the students of these to the GPS at Bogda jetty. However, without the permission of the senior education officials the students cannot be shifted.

The roofs of buildings of GPS and high schools at Zuarinagar are leaking and need urgent repairs. The parents fear that these buildings could collapse any moment if not repaired in time.

Altogether, there are 64 schools in Mormugao taluka of which 15 are government (primary and secondary) schools and the lone Government Higher Secondary School is situated at Baina.

“Presently there is an urgent need to provide bus transport to students of government primary school at Cortalim, besides pre-primary teachers need to be appointed. If these services are provided then it will help solve the enrolment issue,” said a parent Lata Raviraj Naik.

“The teachers at Satrant government primary schools are in good condition. Both my children study here and the teachers are very supportive. It would help if the school supplies are also provided by the authorities concerned,” said another parent Rinadevi Mishra.

The school buildings repaired by the government include the ones at Mangor Hill, Dabolim, Potsiro-Bogmalo, Chicalim, Satrant-Sancoale and Quelossim-Cortalim.