PONDA
The roof of an abandoned government primary school building in Thatod, part of the Dharbandora panchayat area, has collapsed due to recent heavy rains. Parents had asked the education department six months ago to repair the building and make it available for local use. However, as repairs have not yet begun, there is growing frustration.
The old school building in Thatod has been unused for several years. Currently, 18 students are studying in a new building provided by the Sarva Shikshan Abhiyan. A few days ago, the roof of another nearby old building also collapsed.
Six months ago, parents and locals petitioned the education department to repair the old building and make it available for community use or for meetings of the Women’s Board. Engineers and education officials inspected the building and sent a report to the Education Department, but no action has been taken so far, leading to increased frustration.
The structure of the old government primary school in Thatod is still sound, but the collapsed roof has heightened discontent among parents. Many of them, who attended the school years ago, want the building repaired so it can be used for various activities, such as camps, women’s meetings, and yoga sessions. Despite this, the Education Department has not responded to these concerns.
A few months ago, Dharbandora taluka district education officer Sitaram Naik submitted a statement to the education department. The officials and engineers inspected the building and sent their report to senior officials, but there has been no further action.
Meanwhile, many other government primary school buildings in the taluka are lying unused or being demolished. These include Kasawali in Mole Panchayat, Maydevada in Kule Panchayat, Okamba in Dharbandora Panchayat, Dongarwada, Male, Murge, Tambadi, Panswara, and Udhalshe in Sakorda Panchayat, and Bhandol in Kirlpal Panchayat.
Currently, five schools with low student numbers are likely to close in the coming years. These schools are in Wakekulan (5 students), Matoje (3 students), Varipawada (4 students), and Navwada (5 students) in Kule Panchayat, and Kalsai (4 students) in Kirlpal Panchayat.
