NALGONDA: Even as the rising temperatures are preventing people from venturing out during the day, a government primary school in Nalgonda has been conducting classes under trees. Many parents are criticising the administration as may students are falling ill and are being forced to miss classes.
The school has been operating out of a rented building in Bottuguda for the past few years. However, due to the dilapidated condition of the building, Classes 1 to 5 are being conducted under the trees for the last eight months.
In July 2023, the slabs in the building ceiling started collapsing, which prompted the management to conduct the classes in the open.
To get the premises vacated, the building owner has reportedly appealed to the authorities several times. However, since the officials were unable to find a suitable alternative nearby, the school, with a strength of 57 students and three teachers, has been running from the same campus.
The two trees on the campus are used as per the sun’s position. Classes are held under one tree from 9 am to 12 noon, and the other tree is used for classes after lunch. The midday meals are also prepared in the open.
A few students told TNIE that many of their classmates have suffered sunstroke due to the increasing temperatures as they are forced to spend hours under the sun. Some have even stopped attending the classes, they added.
Speaking to TNIE, DEO B Bhikshapati said the school will be shifted to another rented building at the beginning of the next academic year. Arrangements will be made so that the students do not face any issues, he said.
‘Headmaster on unofficial deputation to DEO office’
Many parents are also reportedly reluctant to enrol their wards into the school seeing the current situation.
Many student body leaders have also lambasted the administration over the lack of infrastructure, which has forced students to study under the trees with the sun beating down on them.
Meanwhile, sources said the school headmaster is apathetic to the current situation and has been on unofficial deputation to the computer section in the Nalgonda DEO office. An employee of the DEO office said the school headmaster of the Bottuguda government primary school is integral to the operations at the computer section in the DEO’s office. “Without him, no work can happen,” he added.
On the issue of the headmaster, the DEO said the former has been directed to perform his regular duties at the school.