KIRLAMPUDI (EAST GODAVARI): More than half a century-old Kirlampudi Government High School which produced several eminent politicians, including ministers, MPs and MLAs and sportsmen of both national and international level, is now in a very bad shape. Classes were being conducted under trees as majority of the existing buildings either caved in or in a dilapidated condition.
According to authorities, the school was established in 1926 when a philanthropist donated 16 acres of land. Later it was upgraded as high school and a junior college was also set up on the same premises. At present there were 1100 students in the school.
Six of the twenty sections were being run under trees as the classrooms were on the verge of collapsing posing a threat to the life of both the teachers and students. Teachers are forced to wind up their open air classes in the afternoon itself as children were falling sick due to the prevailing hot spell.
Besides, cattle and pigs stray into the premises as the compound wall has been damaged at several places. The watchman post has been lying vacant for several years.
To top it all, both teachers and students are afraid of snakes moving around in the playground due to the presence of bushes.
Headmaster VPG Vani Kumari said that they had submitted a memorandum to the district officials during the Badibata programme and brought the issue to the notice of District Collector Gopalakrishna Dwivedi.
In Zilla Parishat meeting held recently at Kakinada, Jaggampet MLA Thota Narasimham expressed concern over the plight of the prestigious school and urged the authorities to sanction funds immediately to improve the facilities in the school.
He said the buildings were in a dilapidated state posing threat to the life of the children.
Later speaking to Express, he said the school having a good track record was lagging behind due to lack of basic facilities. He stressed the need for immediate sanction of funds for construction of additional class rooms.