What Challenges Are Students Facing at Tumuni's Government Primary School?

Students at the Government Primary School in Tumuni are facing significant challenges due to inadequate infrastructure, including a lack of classrooms and poor sanitation facilities. With enrollment declining as parents seek better options, urgent action is needed to address these issues. The headmistress has raised concerns with local authorities, but effective solutions have yet to be implemented. This situation highlights the pressing need for improvements to ensure a safe and conducive learning environment for the children.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 3, 2026, 10:20 IST

Critical Infrastructure Issues at Tumuni School

Bantala: Students attending the Government Primary School in Tumuni, located in the Badakera panchayat of Anugola block, are grappling with significant challenges due to poor infrastructure. The school suffers from a lack of classrooms, inadequate drinking water supply, and the absence of a boundary wall.

The situation has deteriorated to the point where students are forced to hold classes in a storeroom, as the existing classrooms leak during rain. Established over two decades ago, the school has only two classrooms serving six grades, from Sishu Vatika to Class V.

Both classrooms are in a state of disrepair, with maintenance issues leading to leaks that disrupt lessons. Consequently, students often have to study in the storeroom. Additionally, the school does not provide sufficient drinking water.

While a hand pump is present on the premises, it is frequently out of order. The toilet facilities are also inadequate, with a motor pump supplying water that is neither clean nor sufficient, necessitating urgent repairs to the tube well. The lack of a boundary wall raises safety concerns for the children.

Despite these ongoing issues, no substantial measures have been taken to enhance the school's infrastructure. As a result, many parents are opting to transfer their children to private institutions. Enrollment has dropped from 79 students in the 2023-24 academic year to just 62 this year. Three teachers are currently responsible for the students, but the infrastructure problems hinder effective teaching.

Parents have called on authorities to repair the classrooms, fix the hand pump, and build a boundary wall to create a safer learning environment.

The condition of the toilets is equally concerning. Although a new toilet block is under construction, the project remains unfinished, forcing students to relieve themselves outdoors. The school is adjacent to the Matilia nullah, which poses a constant safety risk to the children.

Teachers must remain vigilant during lunch and recess to keep students away from the nullah. Parental concerns have heightened following a recent incident where a man tragically died after becoming trapped in a hume pipe in the Matilia nullah. Despite repeated requests for action, no effective solutions have been implemented.

As a result, student enrollment continues to decline, according to Lambodar Khuntia, president of the school management committee. The headmistress has reported these issues to BEO Ashok Kumar Pradhan, who stated that senior officials have been made aware of the leaking roofs and other infrastructure challenges. He assured that measures would be taken soon to address these problems.