Neglected Government Schools in Anantnag District Struggle with Basic Infrastructure

Several government schools lack basic infrastructure in the Anantnag district, and students suffer

Sameer Ahmad

Anantnag: Despite claims by authorities of upgrading basic infrastructure in government schools, numerous schools in Anantnag district continue to lack essential facilities. These inadequacies adversely affect the quality of education provided to students. One such example is the Government Middle School in the Nai Basti Aarwani Bijbehara area, which has been struggling with insufficient infrastructure since its establishment in 2005 and subsequent upgrade in 2009.

The Government Middle School in Arwani Bijbehara, Anantnag, is composed of only five rooms, out of which one is dedicated to administrative purposes. The remaining four rooms are utilized as classrooms, accommodating a staggering total of 174 students. This overcrowding severely hampers the learning environment and prevents the teachers from delivering proper education.

According to reliable sources and locals, the school lacks various basic facilities necessary for an educational institution. The absence of classrooms, along with the lack of a playground and other essential amenities, further deteriorates the quality of education provided. Despite the availability of adjacent state land, the authorities have failed to construct additional structures to alleviate the accommodation crunch faced by the school.

In a recent incident that gained attention on social media, a government primary school in Hargongali, Kharpora, Shangus zone was found operating in a cowshed. This distressing image symbolizes the extent of neglect suffered by certain government schools in the district. The structure, which accommodates both students and livestock, highlights the urgent need for substantial improvements in infrastructure.