Govt. school fate hangs in balance

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, OCT. 9. The district administration is faced with a piquant situation with regard to the repair of the Government Girl's High School at Amberpet which is housed in a private building. A portion of the dilapidated school collapsed on Sunday, forcing the authorities to take note of the issue hanging fire for the last several years.

The Government cannot spend money for repair of the school as it is located on private premises. As an alternative, it is decided to request philanthropic organisations to renovate the building. The District Collector, Mr. Rajeshwar Tiwari, who inspected the school on Tuesday, said the repair work would start from October 16, by which date the on-going quarterly examination would be over.

He directed the school authorities not to conduct classes in the damaged portion. Two sheds under which the exams were now being held would be repaired and extended. All facilities like water, electricity and lavotries would be provided.

Mr. Tiwari, who spoke to the parents, students and staff, assured that the school would not be vacated at the moment. He admitted that the building owner, Syed Azam Nawab, was not accepting the monthly rent of Rs. 450, as he wanted the building to be vacated. However, the matter was pending in court. The District Collector asked the RDO to examine the records and see whether the owner attracted the provisions of the Urban Land Cieling Act, as he was believed to be in possession of 1,000 sq. yards of land. In that case, the surplus land had to be surrendered to the Government, he said.

The Government had already sanctioned Rs. 32.5 lakhs for construction of the school, but in the absence of land the work could not be taken up. Mr. Tiwari said efforts would also be made to secure land in the vicinity as the locals wanted the school to remain there only.

The Government Girls High School was functioning in the existing building for the last four decades. The owner was not happy with the paltry rent of Rs. 450 being paid and for the last few months had stopped accepting the rent. Portions of the school building, according to the staff, was chipping off every day and on Sunday it collapsed. The staff and students shuddered at the thought of what could have been if the building had caved in on a working day.

There are 600 students in the school which has classes from sixth to tenth standard. The other classes - from I to V - are run at Premnagar, a nearby locality.

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