PARADIP: Posco may have been a much-despised name in this part of Jagatsinghpur, but after its exit, the office building of the Korean steel behemoth is serving as a classroom for 207 students of Noliasahi UP School.The buliding lacks power supply, nor has provision of water. But with the original school building lying in ruins, authorities have no option but to use the Posco office verandah as a classroom for the last two years. Making matters worse, the School and Mass Education department has done precious little to repair the school or provide the students, a better environment to study.
Walls of the school, which was established in 1976, have developed cracks and water leaks from its roof during rains. As the building is unsafe, the school management committee and guardians decided to shift the classes to the administrative-cum-trading centre building of Posco, which is stuated over an acre of land. Though Posco withdrew its steel project from the State, its building has not yet been handed over to the State Government. In absence of drinking water facility in the Posco building, mid-day meals for the kids are prepared and served in the old school building that is one km away. Academic activities are also getting affected as the school lacks its own infrastructure.
Headmistress Renubala Sahu, said the arrangement was put in place as students could not continue studying in the old school building due to its dilapidated structure. The district education officials have been informed about it, she added.There are six other schools in Paradip including Noliasahi School that do not have building of their own and these are are being operated from temporary structures. Apparently, Paradip Port Trust has allegedly not yet provided land for construction of these school buildings despite frequent requests by the district administration and School and Mass Education department. These schools are in Bangalipada in Ward 18; Lokanath Colony, Lockpada, Bangalipada in Ward 6 and Gholapada Primary School and Gopal Jew Sahi.
Local guardians alleged violation of Right to Education Act 2009. They said though the land row between PPT and State Government has been resolved, PPT has not yet allocated land to the schools affecting education as well as nutrition of the children.District Project Coordinator of Sarva Sikhya Abhiyan, Sapani Kumar Jena, said funds were allocated in favour of the schools in Paradip but construction of buildings could not be started due to want of land. On classes of Noliasahi UP School being held on the verandah of Posco’s office building, Jena said the arrangement has been done in consultation with local guardians.