Nellore: As many as 657 primary and upper primary schools in Nellore district are housed in dilapidated buildings despite the government claims of having spent crores of rupees on constructing new school buildings. The teachers are reluctant to hold classes in such dangerous buildings especially during rainy season when water keeps leaking and fears of the building collapsing. Though new buildings are constructed in some places, teachers are forced to operate from the old ones because of contractors' reluctance to complete the pending works under the pretext of payment issues.
One such half-completed new building near Naidupeta has become shelter for cattle and to dry clothes. The contractor and authorities are at loggerheads over the pending works. While the contractor has made it clear that he would not finish the work until the dues are paid, authorities concerned maintain that they will pass the bills only after all the work is completed. The contractor also allege that the amount being offered by Sarva Siksha Abhiyaan (SSA) is no match to the expenditure. The situation is no different in another 230 classrooms built in place of those that were in very bad condition, SSA officials said.
In some places such as Chigurupadu Agraharam in Naidupeta mandal, teachers have found the kitchen safer than the school to conduct classes as parts of the cement slab of the old building is peeling off. "We do not send the children to school if it rains. We have given many representations to the authorities concerned but there is hardly any response for the last two years," residents of Chigurupadu village, B. Gurunadham and Ch Chandraiah alleged.
When contacted, Sarva Siksha Abhiyaan Project Officer E. Viswanath said they are taking steps to complete the work and were working out estimates. He said they have increased the estimated cost of each classroom since the amount being paid by SSA was meagre in the past. With respect to 657 classrooms in dilapidated condition, he said school committees agreed to demolish 207 on their own after they offered wood and steel of the old buildings but there are no takers for 450 schools since the doors and windows are stolen. "We are going to demolish them on our own and construct new classrooms starting from January next year," Mr Viswanath said.
