Activists raise issue of lack of amenities, classrooms at municipal school

Times of India: Vadodara: Sunday, April 21, 2013.

Activists have demanded early construction of the school building of the Poet Dayaram School - a primary school operated by the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) primary education committee at Mujmahuda in the city. The activists allege that the school is without any basic amenities for the children as well.

The activists dug up information under the RTI Act to find out the details of a proposed building at the site. The activists say that the contractor who had been awarded the work for making the classrooms had been given a work order last year, but hardly any development had taken place on this front.

According to activist Atul Gamechi, providing basic amenities at schools was a must under the Right to Education Act. He said that the school did not have proper lavatories and drinking water facilities. Gamechi added that children relieved themselves in the ravines of Vishwamitri river near the school.

Gamechi added that seven classes in the school did not have classrooms. He pointed out that some construction material had been kept at the site, but there was negligible activity there. He added that NGO Sahaj had also organised an event to raise the issue in a unique way by organising a poster drawingcompetition where children were asked to draw the school of their dreams.