Vante’s Govt Primary school on the verge of collapse

The Government Primary School, Gaonkar Wada Vante, Sattari is in bad condition for the past several years. The roof of one classroom has already come down. Villagers have complained to the ADEI officer. The village Gram sabha has also passed a resolution and the panchayat authorities have submitted a letter to the Director of Education Department but till date no action has been taken.

Besides this, the regular teacher of the school is every time going on leave which is affecting the students, say villagers.

The school was established in the year 1974. But the state of the school building has remained the same all these years. Concerned authorities have not carried out any maintenance or repair work of this school building.

All the benches are broken and children are forced to sit on the floor and study. There is neither a water filter nor a writing board in the school. However, a source said the school is waiting for a new green board. The ceiling fans are not in working condition; no regular power supply in and no proper playing ground. The school doors are in bad shape and there is no separate toilet for girls.

The total strength of the students at present is 14. Earlier there were 40 students. Now every year, the number of students is dwindling. Because of the bad condition of the building the villagers prefer to send their children to a neighbouring village school. The same bad condition also prevents teachers from coming to teach in the school.

“Our village primary school is in a bad condition. Last week the roof of school gave way. Thank God, the roof fell outside the school hours. We have already informed the ADEI office, Pissurlem regarding the school building condition. The officers are visiting here, inspecting the school building and going back, but not taking any action. Now we have put up a temporary roof and one wooden pole to cover the class room,” said Madhu Gaonkar, a villager.

Children from remote areas are not getting quality education in the absence of good teachers, says another villager.

“The PTA committee has given a written application to the ADEI office and also written to the Director of Education. Time and again we follow up on this matter, but they are not taking any action,” says village panch member Sada Gaonkar.

“We have already informed the Education Department in writing about the condition of the school building. We have also passed a resolution at the Gram Sabha and have also approached our MLA,” said Nitin Shivdekar, Sarpanch.