Nuapada Government High School Lacks Toilets, Safe Drinking Water
Students at a Nuapada government high school lack toilets and safe drinking water, forcing them to use stream water and open fields.
Students at Patadara (Kuimunda) Upgraded Government High School in Boden block of Nuapada district are studying without toilets or safe drinking water, according to a report dated August 22, 2026. The school, established in 1967, serves students from 14 villages and hamlets and has 106 learners from Class I to X taught by six teachers. The institution continues to lack adequate classrooms and a proper building, with students attending classes in old asbestos- and tin-roofed structures.
What facilities are missing at the school?
The school lacks separate toilets for boys and girls, so students must go outside when they need to relieve themselves. There is no proper drinking water facility; water is drawn from pits dug in a nearby stream for cooking the midday meal, and students reportedly use the same water to wash their meal trays and drink it. Three classrooms were damaged after asbestos sheets were blown away during a Nor’wester storm earlier this year, and as the rooms have not been repaired, students have been forced to attend classes on the verandah. Persistent rain also leads to waterlogging on the school premises, with rainwater entering classrooms and disrupting classes. The school does not have separate toilets for boys and girls, forcing students to go outside when they need to relieve themselves. The school also lacks electricity, a playground and adequate facilities for physical education. Teachers, meanwhile, travel about 10 kilometres each day along hilly roads because there is no accommodation available on the school premises. The school continues to lack adequate classrooms and a proper building, with students attending classes in old asbestos- and tin-roofed structures.
What actions have officials taken?
School management committee president Sachindra Majhi said the authorities, including the Block Development Officer (BDO), Block Education Officer (BEO), District Education Officer (DEO) and District Collector, had been informed in writing about the problems but no effective action had been taken. DEO Prashant Kumar Mohanty said he was not aware of the school’s problems. He said he would first ascertain whether the school comes under the block grant system and take steps to address the issues thereafter.
The situation at Patadara (Kuimunda) Upgraded Government High School remains unchanged, with students continuing to study in makeshift conditions while officials review the reported shortcomings.
Where is Patadara (Kuimunda) Upgraded Government High School located?
It is located in the Boden block of Nuapada district, Odisha.
How many students and teachers are at the school?
The school has 106 students from Class I to X and six teachers.
What specific basic amenities are missing at the school?
The school lacks toilets for boys and girls, safe drinking water, electricity, a playground and adequate physical education facilities.
What caused damage to three classrooms at the school?
Asbestos sheets were blown away during a Nor’wester storm earlier this year, damaging three classrooms.
What source of water do students use for drinking and washing?
Students use water drawn from pits dug in a nearby stream, which is also used for cooking the midday meal.
What have local officials said about the school’s problems?
School management committee president Sachindra Majhi said officials including the BDO, BEO, DEO and District Collector had been informed in writing but no effective action was taken; DEO Prashant Kumar Mohanty said he was unaware of the issues and would check if the school falls under the block grant system before acting.
How far do teachers travel to reach the school?
Teachers travel about 10 kilometres each day along hilly roads because there is no accommodation on the school premises.
Bibhuti Bhusan Sahu
District Correspondent, Nuapada
Bibhuti Bhusan Sahu reports on Nuapada district's border-area development, migration trends, and local governance for the Mirror.
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