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Roofless school reveals state of education in Meghalaya

By Biplab Kr Dey

TURA, March 10 - Gra LP School, a small school of about 45 students and just one teacher indicates the state of education in Meghalaya even as the new Cabinet takes over from the old. The condition of the Gra school�s infrastructure, despite the fact that the school is close to celebrating its platinum jubilee reflects poorly on the Education department and how lazy employees have ensured the school remains the same over decades.

Gra LP School is situated in Rongrong area of Bajengdoba in North Garo Hills and was established in 1953. The poor condition of the school was brought to the notice of people after photos posted by policemen who were posted in the school during the recently concluded elections.

�Education is in a state of flux mainly due to the negligent attitude of authorities who hardly pay a field visit despite cries from the children of the school and its authorities,� alleged an NGO member, Maxbirth Momin.

According to the police personnel, who had spent few days at the school, as it was also a polling station, the school (as pictured) does not have a roof and the four-five classrooms resemble a pig sty.

The school has only one teacher for the five classes and about 45 students. The school is unusable when it rains and there is no common room or even a rest room for the teacher.

�When we visited the school about a decade ago, it was in the same condition. Wonder what the authorities were doing for a complete decade,� said a policeman who was part of the polling team, a decade ago.

Upon being informed on the matter, the Deputy Commissioner of the district, SC Sadhu promised to do something for the school at the earliest. �We will call a meeting and assess the damage to the school and ensure repair work is undertaken as quickly as possible,� said the DC. He further stated that he would speak to the Education officers of the district on why the school has been neglected this way.

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