State-run schools cramped into small residential spaces in Hyderabad’s Old City

Several schools in Bahadurpura, Bandlaguda, Charminar, and other city mandals operate out of single-storey and two-storey residential houses, originally built for families

Hyderabad: While the State government claims to be working hard to improve the standard of the State-run schools, in the far south of the Hyderabad city several students are being confined into small rooms in residential buildings and tutored.

Several schools in Bahadurpura, Bandlaguda, Charminar, and other city mandals operate out of single-storey and two-storey residential houses, originally built for families. Classrooms are located in bedrooms, living rooms, halls, and even kitchens.

Take the case of Government Primary School Mustafa Nagar – 3 in Bahadurpura mandal and located at Teegalkunta. The school functions with a strength of over 100 students from the rented premises having three rooms and resembles no less than a cow shed.

“Children are cramped into the rooms. During summer the children sweat and suffocate in the asbestos roofed rooms,” complained Munawar, a local resident.

It is a similar situation at the Government Primary School Mustafa Nagar – 5. Here also the school functions from three rooms. During a visit, a few students were found sitting on a mat while their classmates were sitting on the benches. A teacher at the school pointed out furniture was provided to the school but is proved to be inadequate. The headmaster of the school was not present and had gone to attend some ‘official work’. This school also runs from a rented residential premises measuring roughly 100 square yards.

“There are a dozen odd private schools in the surroundings. Parents admitted their children at government schools because they could not afford the fee. Government schools are lacking basic facilities and children don’t want to continue their studies there,” complained a parent.

At the Government Primary School, Noorinagar in Bandlaguda mandal, the situation is no different. Several students have to adjust by sitting on the floor in the classroom on the ground floor of the two storied building while the students in other classes enjoy the privilege of sitting on the benches. A teacher pointed out that they do not have adequate furniture.

In the Government Primary School, Ghousenagar, students in five classrooms sit on a carpet laid on the floor as there is no furniture. Only recently, the department provided drinking water taps in the school.

Syed Nabi, a social worker complained that the headmaster or in-charge teacher at the school most of the time away from the schools on pretext of administrative work or meetings.

“The school headmasters on pretext of slum areas are approaching NGOs with request to arrange some teachers. After the NGOs arrange volunteers, the staff members are availing casual leaves or abstain from duties leaving the task of coaching the children to NGO sponsored faculty,” he pointed out.