Banswara: Villagers, parents and public representatives in Khedli Pada under Amarthun Gram Panchayat on Monday strongly opposed the proposed shifting of two dilapidated government primary schools and demanded that new school buildings be constructed at the same sites. They warned the visiting Project Officer-Principal of Amarthun against moving students to an alternative location three kilometres away.

The protest followed the state government’s directive that students should not be seated in unsafe, dilapidated school buildings and that safe alternative arrangements must be made. When the Project Officer-Principal arrived to enforce the order, residents of Khedli Pada and Kotharia Pada Fale Ward stopped the plan. They said the area is home to poor tribal families, BPL households, Palanhar beneficiaries and small farmers. Relocating the schools would force young children to travel three kilometres and leave many of them without education.

Villagers pointed out that children going towards Amarthun have already met with accidents after falling into a large canal. They told the official that neither school would be shifted and that children would not be made to cross the canal. They warned that one-sided orders issued in the name of “alternative arrangements” would be opposed and “burnt.”

After the protest, the Project Officer-Principal said he would convey the villagers’ concerns to higher authorities. It was decided that a written memorandum would be submitted to the sub-divisional and district administrations.

Villagers recalled that the dilapidated Govt Primary School, Kotharia Pada, had already been shifted eight months earlier into the equally dilapidated Khedli Pada school building. Temporary operation orders were issued, but eight months later no new classrooms, toilets or urinals have been built. Rent for an alternative rented house has also not been paid. Villagers questioned the decisions of education officials who issued demolition and relocation orders without providing replacements.

They demanded immediate priority budget allocation under the District Mineral Foundation Trust (DMFT), CSR schemes and the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan for construction of new classrooms at the existing sites. They said they would continue to oppose repeated arbitrary orders that shift schools instead of rebuilding them where children live.

The Khedli Pada school building itself is in a crumbling state. Lime and plaster fall on students daily. Teachers often declare holidays out of fear that the structure may collapse. Residents said the buildings did not become unsafe overnight. Both primary schools lack toilets and urinals, boundary walls, electricity, water and a playground. Encroachment on school land continues.

A Sangarsh Committee was formed on the spot. Additional demands raised included construction of 10 new classrooms and five laboratories at Govt UPS, Amarthun; sanction of a hostel; creation of teaching posts according to enrolment under the staffing pattern; filling of vacant posts at the school upgraded four years ago in Bhanwar Vod; and cancellation of the transfer of former principal Ashish Pandya so that he can be posted back.

Among those who addressed the gathering were Kamji Ninama, Shambhu Lal, Nathulal, Prabhulal, Khatu Bhai, Shankar Bhai, Naresh Kumar Ninama, Homla Bhai and other members of the newly formed Sangharsh Samiti.