Education infrastructure in a mess; Taro school stands as mute witness
Govt unable to monitor works taken up under NLPCR
Source: The Sangai Express

Taro(Ukhrul), March 28: Despite the lofty lip services paid by the Government towards improving the infrastructure of schools under funding from the Non-Lapsable Pool of Central Resources all over the State, it is more than evident that a huge amount of money has been withdrawn without executing any work and this was suggested during the course of an investigation conducted by The Sangai Express.

The incomplete pillars of the Taro-Chaphung Jr HS stand as mute testimony to state of education

Nothing illustrates this better than the mute pillars at the Taro-Chaphung Government Junior High School in Chingai sub-division of Ukhrul district, where three class rooms were meant to be constructed under the NLPCR, the work for which was taken up some years back.

The Taro-Chaphung Junior High School was established in 1962 as an ME school and it was ultimately taken over by the Government in 1980.This institution is an important centre of learning for the children of Taro Upper and Lower and Chaphung Upper and Lower.

To upgrade the infrastructure of the school, the Government had sanctioned Rs 3 lakhs for constructing three class rooms for the school about two years back.

During the course of an inspection of the school, it was found that though the amount sanctioned was meant for the construction of three class rooms, this reporter found incomplete pillars being put up for only two class rooms, with no signs that the work will be completed soon.

Though the specifications laid down by the Government said that each class room should measure 18 ft by 30 fit, the foundation for each class room measured only 12 ft by 12 ft.

On probing it was found out that there were many loopholes in the process of awarding the contract work for the construction of the three class rooms.

Adding to the woes, sufferings and anxiety of the young students and the villagers is the point that the old school structure is on the verge of collapsing any moment and the villagers have had to put up support beams.

Half the portion of the tin roofing of the old structure has also given way to the ravages of time and nature.

Though small benches for the students were seen at the site, no desks were found during the inspection exercise.

Moreover no other necessary items such as chalks provided by the Government for the school could be found at the site.

Provisions for supplying clean, hygienic water to the students at the school were conspicuosly absent at the said school.

The school has five primary teachers and a Headmaster but no graduate teachers.

No Hindi teacher has also been posted there.

Speaking to The Sangai Express the Headmaster of the school, PS James said that the rice share for each student under the Mid Day Meal Scheme is not up to the specifications laid down by the Government.

Moreover no cooked rice is given to students and instead raw rice is given.

Though there are 150 students currently studying in the school, there are only four plates, one bucket, one pot and one mug meant for the students to cater to their Mid Day Meal Scheme.