PONDA: The young children from Khandola are enduring a challenging start to their education as they face the harsh realities of the new system. The toddlers attending Baagwada Anganwadi are forced to brave the scorching heat in a newly constructed premises that has been without power supply since 2017.
Meanwhile, another group of youngsters from Haldanwada have been squeezed into a cramped rented space. Concerned parents have decided to keep their children at home due to the rising temperatures, vowing to send them back only after power is restored to the premises.
The Baagwada anganwadi center was initially established in a rented house, and later a well-equipped facility was constructed in 2007.
However, in 2017, the anganwadi was shifted to a new location where, despite the presence of electrical fittings and equipment, none of them are functional. Parents have lodged numerous complaints, citing instances of their children sweating in class due to the non-operational fans.
On average, the anganwadi enrolls around 30 to 35 students each year, with 33 children being admitted this year. However, concerned parents have chosen to keep their children at home due to the unfavorable conditions at the anganwadi.
A few years ago, parents made efforts to secure power connections, and the panchayat even provided its no-objection certificate (NOC) for the power supply. The panchayat also ensured a water connection was made available. Despite these efforts, the premises remain “powerless,” with the reasons for this situation unknown to the authorities.
Meanwhile, the Haldanwada anganwadi, operating in a rented room, also serves as a storage space for grains used in mid-day meals. The approximately 20 children attending the anganwadi are now seated in the verandah due to space constraints.
Most parents have ceased sending their children to the anganwadi and plan to resume their attendance only after the arrival of the monsoon.
