BENGALURU: Around 360 students from Seegehalli Government Higher Primary School in K R Puram faced water shortage for nearly five years. The school would suffer from January to June as the summer set in resulting in severe shortage of drinking water, water for toilet and hand wash. Though Seegehalli Gram Panchayat supplied water every week, the water wouldn't be enough to cater to 360 students.
As per the recent data provided by the Minister of School Education and Literacy, Madhu Bangarappa, around 170 schools lack toilet facilities and 61 of them lack drinking water. However, education activists have always pointed out that the number might be more than what is it on the papers.
Saraswathi P N, Principal of Seegehalli Government Higher Primary School said, "This school was started in 1946 and there are two water storage tanks in the school. There is a borewell which has failed due to depletion in the ground water. The panchayat supplies water to the school but that is not sufficient for us. In addition to this, from the past few years, it has been turned into an English medium school. There are ten teachers working here which has attracted more students from surrounding villages."
She added, "Recently, when the Aahwahan Foundation along with BHN Technologies approached us asking for the needs of the school and students, we mentioned about severe water shortage. After studying the school infrastructure, a rain water harvesting system has been installed. There was a percolation tank in our school already which was not in proper working condition. Under the newly installed rain water harvesting system, the rain water directly gets collected here and replenishes the ground water. At the same time, the water gets collected in a tank which gets filtered that can provide 40,000 to 50,000 liters of water. This system has not only helped us deal with water issues but allow students to witness water conservation in action and develop a sense of responsibility."
The initiative is designed to provide long-term water sustainability, especially during summer and dry seasons. Besides, rain water harvesting system, the foundation has also installed two different tanks so that water gets collected and can be used for toilets. There are also facilities installed for hand wash with 15 taps which can be used by these hundreds of students.