Cops hog classrooms at Vajpayee pet school

The Government Primary School at Prini is about a mile away from Vajpayee’s residence here, and close to his heart. But these days, it ...

The Government Primary School at Prini is about a mile away from Vajpayee’s residence here, and close to his heart. But these days, it is playing host to the state’s policemen.

Over 65 Himachal Pradesh policemen on VIP duty have occupied all the rooms of the Government Primary School, and tables and chairs in the classrooms have been replaced by bedding and mattresses for the policemen. Uniforms and dirty linen have been hooked on to the sides of blackboards. The staff room has become the langar room, where food is prepared for the policemen.

For all means and purposes, no classes will be held in this school for as long as the former PM stays in Prini. All that an official could offer, was that it was a former PM’s visit and his security men needed to be accommodated. To that end, the school’s authorities were informed through a letter on June 9 (no.323/MC) by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Manali, that the premises of the primary school would be used to accommodate the SPG personnel accompanying Vajpayee. The SDM expected the school to ensure that its rooms were vacated in order to accommodate the policemen till June 18 — when Vajpayee is to leave. The premises were eventually occupied by the HP policemen.

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Vajpayee, who often interacts with Prini schoolchildren, was the one who was instrumental in upgrading the primary school to the high school level. The high school building lies adjacent to the primary school, which, sources say, is not being given its due, to say the least.

The primary school has been without a headmaster for the last two years. There are four classrooms including a staff-room, five classes, two part-time teachers and 85 students. Due to shortage of space and teachers, students of classes I and II sit together and are taught by one teacher. The school, with over 50 girls, does not have a toilet. The two part-time teachers come once in a while.

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