Nuapada school lacks toilets, safe water for 106 students

Students at Patadara (Kuimunda) Upgraded Government High School in Boden block of Nuapada district study without toilets or safe drinking water, attending classes in aging asbestos- and tin-roofed buildings, three of which were damaged by a Nor’wester storm earlier this year. Established in 1967, the school serves 106 pupils from 14 villages with six teachers, who travel about 10 kilometres daily due to lack of on‑site accommodation. The school management committee says officials have been informed but no action taken.

What basic amenities are missing at the school?

The school lacks separate toilets for boys and girls, forcing students to 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. Students use the same water to wash their meal trays and, in the absence of an alternative source, drink it. The school also lacks electricity, a playground and adequate facilities for physical education.

How have the building conditions deteriorated?

Established in 1967, the school currently operates from old asbestos- and tin-roofed structures. Three classrooms were damaged after asbestos sheets were blown away during a Nor’wester storm earlier this year, and the rooms have not been repaired. Persistent rain leads to waterlogging on the premises, with rainwater entering classrooms and disrupting classes. As a result, students have been forced to attend classes on the verandah.

What have school officials and authorities said?

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.

What is the scale of the school’s enrollment and staffing?

The school serves students from 14 villages and hamlets, with a total enrollment of 106 pupils from Class I to X. It employs six teachers to instruct these students. Teachers travel about 10 kilometres each day along hilly roads because there is no accommodation available on the school premises.

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