What Challenges Does Sundaragada's Historic School Face in Providing Basic Facilities?

The PM-Shri Bhawani Shankar Government High School in Sundaragada, established in 1907, is facing significant infrastructure challenges, including a lack of basic facilities and hostel accommodations for boys. Despite its rich history and notable alumni, the school has not had a permanent headmaster since May 2025, and parents are concerned about inadequate drinking water and toilet facilities. The absence of a government hostel has forced boys from remote areas to stay in old classrooms. Although the school has received government funding for improvements, these funds remain unspent. Local stakeholders are urging the government to take action to preserve the institution's legacy and support its students.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 27, 2026, 09:33 IST

Sundaragada's PM-Shri Bhawani Shankar Government High School Struggles with Infrastructure

By Jayanarayan Menduli

Sundaragada: The PM-Shri Bhawani Shankar Government High School, established in 1907, is one of the oldest educational institutions in Sundaragada. However, it is currently grappling with significant infrastructure deficits and inadequate hostel facilities, forcing boys to reside in outdated classrooms.

Originally founded as the district's first government Middle English school, this institution has evolved into a high school over the years. It boasts a legacy of notable alumni, including IAS officers like Prafulla Kumar Das and Shishir Kumar Naik, IRS officer Santosh Amat, and even international hockey star Dr. Dilip Tirkey.

After merging with Rani Janaki Girls’ High School and Town Government Primary School, the school now accommodates 805 students from Shishu Vatika to Class X, supported by 38 teachers. Despite its esteemed history, the school has been facing ongoing infrastructure challenges, including the absence of a permanent headmaster since May 31, 2025. Parents have expressed concerns regarding insufficient drinking water and toilet facilities, with the lack of a government hostel for boys being particularly alarming.

Previously, the school had a boys’ hostel, but it was shut down in 2009-10 due to dwindling student numbers. The building now serves as offices for Samagra Shiksha and the Rotary Club. Although interest in admissions has surged, no new government hostel has been built, leading boys from remote areas to stay in old classrooms that have been repurposed as makeshift accommodation.

Currently, around 150 beds provided by the District Mineral Foundation are utilized by students, with management relying on contributions from the students themselves, as noted by in-charge headmistress Anita Das. She highlighted that many students from tribal backgrounds are eager to enroll, but the lack of hostel facilities forces them to look for alternatives.

The school has received government funding for infrastructure improvements, including Rs 30 lakh for overall development and Rs 10 lakh under Panchasakha Shikhya Setu in the last five years. However, these funds remain unutilized. Alumni member Benumadhab Tripathy has called on the government to ensure essential facilities and establish a recognized boys’ hostel to maintain the school's legacy. District Education Officer Muralidhar Behera assured that necessary actions would be taken soon, while local parents emphasized that a government hostel would facilitate more students from distant regions to attend this historic institution.