Banswara: Residents of Gram Panchayat Amarthun have risen in protest over the poor condition of school buildings and vacant teaching posts, particularly at the newly upgraded Govt Senior Secondary School Bhanwar Vod. After inspecting the school and finding only four teachers present while four staff members were on leave, villagers expressed strong anger over the impact on children’s education.

The agitation stems from long-pending demands. Earlier, residents had submitted a warning memorandum to the Sub-Divisional Officer and CBEO Ghatol seeking repairs and new construction of dilapidated school buildings, creation of lecturer posts at the upgraded senior secondary school Bhanwar Vod, and filling of vacant positions including Principal, Vice-Principal, senior teachers and science teacher. Twenty-five days later, no concrete action had been taken.

Parents, local representatives and villagers informed higher authorities after the inspection. Chief District Education Officer Pawan Kumar Rawal immediately sought a report from the Project Officer-Principal of Amarthun. The Project Officer-Principal informed the CBEO Ghatol and the DEO (Secondary) headquarters, Banswara.

A meeting was then held with members of the SMC, SDMC, PTA and the executive committee. Villagers demanded an account of action taken on their earlier memorandum. The Project Officer-Principal stated that the memorandum had been forwarded to higher authorities. He noted that creation of new lecturer posts in Hindi, Political Science and Geography is a policy decision and assured that the matter would be pursued on priority.

Villagers also pressed for early approval and work orders for new construction. Specific demands include ten classrooms and five laboratories at govt senior secondary Amarthun, construction of toilets and a kitchen shed, and new buildings for the primary schools at Gwal Mata, Kotharia Pada and Gulabpura. Repair sanctions for other unsafe school structures were also sought. Assurance was given that proposals would be forwarded.

Frustration over the lack of visible progress led villagers and parents to insist that the District Administration, Sub-Divisional Officer and Chief District Education Officer be called to the spot. A telephone conversation with the Chief District Education Officer helped calm the situation. Residents then issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the Project Officer-Principal of Amarthun, demanding permanent solutions rather than temporary deputation, filling of vacant posts, creation of lecturer positions, and early sanctions and work orders for building repairs and new construction.

Villagers also highlighted the four-year delay in construction of the govt primary school Ambapada building. The school is currently operating in the premises of the Hastinapur temple, a situation that has drawn strong criticism. The matter is to be brought to the notice of the relevant department.

A particularly serious concern raised was the condition of toilets and urinals in several schools under the Amarthun nodal. Girls feel shy about relieving themselves in the open and therefore hold it in, which residents said is affecting their kidney health. Immediate repair and new construction of toilets were demanded.

The Project Officer-Principal of Amarthun told the representative group that his powers are limited. As institutional head he can only submit requests and seek guidance; decisions on creating posts, filling vacancies, and sanctioning repairs or new construction rest with higher authorities. He assured that the information would be forwarded for further action.