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Many schools in Barpeta dist yet to reopen after vacation

By Correspondent

BARPETA, Aug 2 - Though the month-long summer vacation came to an end on July 31 and many schools reopened on the following day, but several educational institutions in Barpeta district could not commence classes on August 1 due to the waterlogged condition created by the recent flood havoc.

As per information available, nine schools in the district were washed away and buildings of more than 50 suffered heavy damage during the deluge. It will take some time to relocate the schools washed away by the flood waters. Besides, renovation of school buildings damaged will also take time.

In the meantime, relief camps have been set up in some school buildings and many inmates have not been able to return home as yet. They will be shifted to their homes once it become conducive for living. But so long these school buildings are occupied by the flood victims, it will not be possible for the school authorities to commence classes.

A few school premises are still submerged by flood waters. Besides, floors of some school buildings are covered with thick layers of mud and silt. Though some school managements have taken steps to clear the slush, but in other cases it has not been convenient to undertake the cleaning activities.

In addition to all these hurdles, a number of schools are not accessible by roads. The devastating floods washed away several roads all over the district, besides bridges and approach roads to the bridges.

No one really knows as to when the roads leading to the village schools will be restored by the authorities. They only know that the respective schools will remain closed till the roads are repaired.

Though the flood waters have receded in many areas, however, certain pockets will require time to retain normalcy. Moreover, it may still take a long time to make the school surroundings hygienic and conducive for long stay by the minor children.

Further, any kind of haphazard activity for the sake of the academic calender may pose serious health hazard for the children as there is a pervading stench everywhere in the flood- affected areas of the district.

Not to speak of others, the Kendriya Vidyalaya situated in the heart of the town had to suspend classes for the last several days. It was submerged on July 15 by waters of Marachaulkhowa river. Since then, classes from Class-VII to XII were conducted in Barpeta Law College building, which enjoyed summer vacation. But the junior section upto Class-XI was kept in abeyance.

However, as the Law College reopened on August 1, the KV had to shift classes to their own building. As the campus is submerged, the authority had no way out but to suspend classes.

According to latest reports available, pumps have been installed in the KV to pump out the stagnant water so that normal classes can commence soon.

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