Telangana State Govt school in woeful state, begs for attention

Malkajgiri: The Zilla Parishad High School (ZPHS) here is one of the good government schools in the north zone. Established in the early fifties, the school has a impressive history and it made a name for itself. However, in the last few years, the school has fallen on hard times.

Its infrastructure is falling apart. Headmaster Veerasham says, "Some companies as part of corporate social responsibility have been donating furniture and stationery and giving funds for upkeep of hospital. Recently, an NGO has come forward to take up construction of a new building."

It is learnt that the State government allots Rs 40,ooo for annual maintenance but is not at all sufficient, rue school teachers. The students of school, numbering about 450, are quite unhappy with the mid-day meal. Srinivas (name changed on request) said, "Everyday we are given dal which is watery." Another student complained about lack of clean drinking water. Many students go to the nearby GHMC office to drink water.

Like several government schools, the condition of the toilets is not to up to the desired level. A cell phone tower in proximity is also an irritant and several parents and students have been complaining for long for its removal, especially after several reports in the newspapers about ill-effects of cell towers on health. There are seven urinals but due to lack of cleaning staff, a majority of students do not use them.

Arvind, a parent, said, "I cannot afford to send my son to a private school. The existence of the cell tower always plays on the back of my mind. I'm worried." Several fans and tube lights do not have switch boards. There are also no doors and windows besides dustbins. These issues need immediate attention of authorities, say the teachers, adding that, at times, dogs and cattle were entering the school.

"The school has two digital labs, a computer lab and a library. We need additional classrooms for maintenance," said the head-master. A proposal for CCTV and flood light was submitted as anti-social elements were entering the school at night, he added.

Thanks to the donation by Muthoot Finance and Cognizant, tables, stationary material, fans, tube lights, shoes and scholarships to meritorious students are provided. The teachers said the students are no less when compared to students from private schools. "Only we wish we had better infrastructure, and they can do wonders," they quickly added. 

By Y Sai Shanthan