Dilapidated condition of Rampur Middle School New class rooms completed but not handed over for years

Muralidharan Pillai

Port Blair, Jan 17: Hundreds of students of remote Rampur in North Andaman are pursuing studies under the roof of a building that is reportedly on the verge of collapse. Though the Andaman Public Works Department constructed the concrete building for the Govt. Middle School, Rampur through a private contractor way back in 2013, lethargy in completion of electrical and other works in the school building has left students compelled to study inside an extremely hazardous wooden building.
Government Middle School, Rampur, initially started as Primary school, in a wooden structure constructed in the early 60s to cater to the education of students of Rampur and adjoining villages. The school was upgraded to the Middle School level in the year 2000 but inside the same wooden building.
Though the school was later upgraded to middle school during 2000 but still continued to function in the same wooden structure. Since the upgradation of the school, enrolment of students and demand for more classroom spiked up and subsequently the Andaman Public Works Department was entrusted the work for construction of RCC building for the school. Initially, one wing of RCC classrooms was added. In the year 2012, APWD floated tenders for construction of RCC first floor of the school building with additional classroom. The private contractor, who bagged the project, completed the civil work by 2013 and handed over the building to the APWD. But for the delay in completion of electrical and other allied works, the RCC school building is still awaiting its inauguration. The recent visit of the ZIlla Parishad Adhyaksha of North and Middle Andaman incited hope among students and parents of the area, but in vain.
“The crumbling wooden structure of GMS Rampur, constructed decades ago, has become a major concern for students and parents of Rampur and nearby villages. But with no other option, students are forced to study under risky conditions. The wooden structure is on the verge of collapse and any such untoward incident will claim previous human lives particularly small students. Besides, colossal trees inside the school premises also pose a serious threat of tree crashing incidents. Though the RCC school building has been completed in all respect, delay in execution of electrical works has left the building unutilised since 2013. Neither the APWD nor the PRIs have paid any attention to an issue that matters hundreds of school students of this remote territory,” bewail some villagers of Rampur speaking to Andaman Sheekha.