On PCMC terrain,schools function from garbage dump

The building,which was constructed by the education department of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC),houses Marathi medim and Urdu medium schools. Both the schools started functioning in June this year and have received “good response” from the children,especially from the nearby slums. The building is surrounding by chawls,residential socieites and slums on all sides. The entire structure looks different from most other PCMC schools which are dimly-lit and have narrow corridors. The classrooms are neat and tidy and the corridors have lot of breathing space.

However,teachers and local activists complain that garbage menace was affecting the entire learning process. “Whenever there is a heavy wind,the plastic and papers fly from the ground straight into the classrooms and corridors. No matter how many times the workers clean it up,the stink remains,” said a teacher. Besides the garbage,everyday when the teachers come to the school,they find liquor bottles and cards strewn in one or two classrooms. Sadiq,a student,said,“We have to hold our nose to enter the school building.”

The teachers do not want to come on record for fear of action from officials. However,women activists who conduct skill classes in the school said education officials have not bothered to properly fence the school ground.

“There is no gate to the school. That is why the nearby residents use the school playground as garbage dump. The watchman is available only during the daytime. This gives some local youths an opportunity to drink liquor in the classrooms and dump the bottles there,” said activist Anita Landge. “The children are made to squat on the floor in the biting cold. PCMC has made no provisions for benches,” she added.

PCMC’s education committee member Kiran Mote said education department is to be blamed for this condition. “Not only this school building,even the other located in suburb,suffers from lack of cleanliness. They have given the contract to an agency which does not have enough man power. Even watchmen are not available,” he said.

When contacted,PCMC education officer Balasaheb Ohal said they have asked the health department to ensure that the garbage is lifted regularly. “On our part,we will construct the compound wall and post watchman 24X7. We are also trying to provide benches to the pre-primary students,” he said.

PCMC’s medical officer R B Chavan said,“We have requested the education department to construct a compound wall so that this menace ends once and for all.”