Morung Express News
Kohima | May 3
Despite being upgraded in 2012 under the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) mission, students and teachers of the New Market Middle School Kohima continue to face inconvenience due to the delay in the construction of the upgraded school.
A report published last year in February in The Morung Express, mentioned about the delay in construction and non-deployment of teachers. Immediately, constructions began. However it has been put to halt, compelling the students and teachers to conduct classes in makeshift rooms provided by the ward Panchayat.
“The environment of the (temporary) classrooms is not good for the students,” said one of the RMSA teachers, who mentioned that due to the lack of classrooms, the school sought the help of the ward where classes are currently being held at the New Market Panchayat hall and the ward Youth Building.
After the upgradation of the school to Class 9 and 10, the 10th class did not begin due to the lack of teachers and classrooms. However this year, the school has begun its first batch of Class 10, where 20 students have enrolled. Further 67 students have been enrolled in Class 9 this year.
The school being one of the oldest schools in Kohima town, has an enrollment of 414 students from Class A to Class 10 out of which over 80 students are left without any classrooms.
“Because we cannot teach in one proper location, controlling the students becomes a problem. The Class 7, 6 and 10 are staying in the makeshift classrooms,” mentioned another teacher who informed that the School had approached the RMSA several times since last year but no action has been taken till date.
Members of the School Management Committee (SMC) New Market also informed that they met the RMSA Mission Director where the Director is said to have mentioned that the money had already been released since last year for the construction of upgraded classrooms. Further assurance was given to pressure the Contractors in charge to expedite the building constructions. “The RMSA assured that they will talk to the Contractors to complete the constructions but till now, there is no construction taking place,” said a member of the SMC.
“Sometimes fund concern is there but as far as we know, the fund had already been released last year. I don’t know what is their problem for delaying the constructions,” stated another teacher.
Six RMSA teachers were deputed in the school last year. Besides the problem of non-payment of salaries for six months, the teachers too have to adjust in the computer room of the middle school. Further, teaching aides and other equipments for the Science lab has not been provided. “We find it difficult to teach without the aides especially while teaching math,” lamented another teacher.
“The whole school is affected because of the non completion of school. We are not blaming anyone but whoever is responsible must own up. They must perform their duty on time,” expressed an SMC member.
While the construction of the classrooms are on the verge of completion, drainage, toilet and water tank constructions have not even started.
