Students at Khandual school, which has been open for 112 years, are no longer attending.

Pramod Kumar Bohidar, a respected member of the community, has brought to light a concerning issue regarding the Khandual Government Upgraded High School in Sambalpur. The school, which has a rich history of 112 years, is currently facing a decline in enrolment due to the lack of proper infrastructure and a shortage of teachers. Originally established as a primary school in 1914, it was later upgraded to an upper primary school in 1976 and finally obtained the status of a high school in 2008.

However, despite this growth, the current state of the school is far from ideal. With only 195 students from Sishu Vatika through Class X, the number has significantly decreased from its peak of over 350 students. One of the main factors contributing to this decline is the deteriorating infrastructure of the school.

Out of the eight classrooms, four are in an unsafe condition, and the teachers' common room is also in need of repair. Additionally, due to the shortage of teachers, primary-level students are suffering the most. With only two teachers for 77 students, it has become a challenge to provide quality education at the foundational level.

The situation is further worsened by the absence of a computer teacher, vocational and physical education teachers, and the lack of a playground and auditorium. In 2022, the school underwent a transformation under the 5T Initiative, at an estimated cost of Rs 55 lakh. This upgrade included two smart classrooms, a science laboratory, an e-library, computers, and toilets.

However, even with these improvements, the school is still struggling with basic infrastructure and staffing issues, causing inconvenience to the students. As some students have shared, the lack of repair has made it difficult for them to attend classes, especially during the rainy season when the asbestos roofs leak, damaging books and other study materials. Chandrakanta Dash, the chairperson of the school management committee, has raised these concerns multiple times with various officials, including the Block Development Officer and the District Education Officer.

However, no action has been taken so far. She urges for immediate action to be taken to repair the existing infrastructure and appoint additional teachers. The headmaster of the school, Kulamani Das, has also reached out to the BDO, DEO, and other senior officials, highlighting the urgent need for new classrooms, a playground, and more teachers.

However, the problems remain unresolved. In response, DEO Lakshman Bhoi has assured that infrastructure development and repair work will begin soon. A senior technical consultant will also be inspecting the school on the Collector's direction, and necessary improvements will be made using Corporate Social Responsibility funds or other government funds.

On the other hand, Maneswar BEO Lokita Dash claims to have not received any written complaints regarding the school's poor condition. She clarifies that the responsibility of infrastructure development falls under the school management committee. If they submit a written proposal or complaint, it will be forwarded to the District Project Coordinator and the district Collector for approval and necessary action.

It is essential to address the concerns raised by Pramod Kumar Bohidar and take immediate action to improve the state of the Khandual Government Upgraded High School. Every child deserves access to quality education in a safe and conducive environment, and it is the responsibility of the authorities to ensure that this is provided. Let us hope that the necessary steps will be taken to revive this institution and provide a better learning experience for the students.