Himalaya Harbinger, Rudrapur Bureau.
The Pantnagar Inter College, established in 1963, in district Udham Singh Nagar is facing severe neglect, leaving students to study in a deteriorating building that was declared unsafe by authorities over a year ago. Despite the inspection and directives to demolish and rebuild, no substantial action has been taken.
The school’s building, comprising 34 classrooms, four laboratories, four toilets, a staff room, a sports room, and an administrative block, has fallen into a state of disrepair due to a lack of maintenance. The plaster has peeled off from the roofs and walls, while many toilets and rooms lack doors and windows. The drains have been choked for years, and with no cleaning undertaken, 615 students are forced to sit on mats amidst the foul smell from broken toilets due to a lack of furniture.
In March last year, a team led by the Block Education Officer (BEO) inspected the school on the initiative of regional MLA Tilakraj Behar and declared the building unsafe. Following the inspection, the district administration ordered the demolition of the existing structure. However, even after a year, the administration has failed to take concrete steps to either demolish the building or construct a new one.
Speaking about the delay, MLA Tilakraj Behar said, “I raised this issue in the House on February 29, calling for immediate action. However, since the school is managed under Pantnagar University, the bureaucratic policies are delaying the allocation of funds for reconstruction.”
The lack of teaching and non-teaching staff has compounded the college’s problems. Out of the sanctioned 11 lecturers, 29 assistant professors, four clerks, and 13 fourth-class employees, only seven lecturers, eight assistant professors, four clerks, and two fourth-class staff members are currently working.
“Teachers at Pantnagar Inter College are appointed as per government rules, but the management is under Pantnagar University,” said KS Rawat, District’s Chief Education Officer. “The university has been directed to submit an application in the prescribed format to bring the college under the government school category. Only after their application is received can we forward the proposal to the government.”
Despite the dire situation, local social welfare organizations and Germany’s Hackel Group have taken steps to support the school. The Hackel Group recently undertook the repair of five rooms and assured the renovation of the laboratories and toilets.
“The condition of the school building is critical,” said Nandkishore Arya, Principal of Pantnagar Inter College. “The Mandi Committee has prepared an estimate for reconstruction, which has been submitted to the government. We are awaiting further action.”
