HYDERABAD: Even as authorities paint a rosy picture for government-run schools in the State, here is a school amid the state capital where there are no usable toilets. The Government High School in Tolichowki has two toilets, one each for boys and girls. The 500-odd students and six teachers of the school go to their homes or the houses nearby if they need to use the toilets during class hours. This is one of the several schools in the city that lacks water facility - even for drinking purpose. Students are forced to defecate in the open, abutting the school.
As part of the Swachh Bharat Mission, the school had got the toilets in 2014-15. Owing to the apathy of the administration in providing water connection to the school, these toilets remain unused and over the years, they have become a garbage dump. Besides, to add to the apathy, the students do not have plates for having mid-day meals, though food is arranged under the government scheme. It does not even have an Asha worker to serve midday meals to the students.
Teachers’ version
The school staff says that there is no water supply in the school. According to teachers, who requested anonymity, students are forced to relieve themselves out in the open. “We request nearby residents to allow at least girl students use toilets at their home. Some students who stay nearby go home to attend nature’s call and often do not return for hours,” said a teacher. There are no helpers to ensure cleanliness and sanitation in the schools, teachers rued.
Girl students suffer the most
A Class 7 student, Syed Ali, who has been studying at the school from the beginning, said that he preferred attending the nature’s call in the open as the toilets in the school are unusable and dilapidated. Another student, Md Shabana Begum, of Class IX said, “We are not even interested to come to the school everyday as we don’t have basic amenities and facilities in the school. Even though boys can manage somehow, what do girls like me do when there are no toilets?” she asked. “We cannot afford to study in private schools. Our only source of education is government schools. We request the government to provide basic facilities for our school.”
DEO received no complaints
Speaking to Express, Jagannath, Assistant Director, District Education Office (DEO) said, “We have not received any complaints from the school. We will inspect the school once and check the requirements of the school after which we will send proposals to the government to allocate funds.”