Goa School Students Endure Classes Under Open Sky Amid Roof Repair Delays
In a distressing situation, students at the Government Primary School in Colva, Goa, have been forced to attend their daily lessons under the open sky for several weeks. This alarming condition has persisted since the public works department (PWD) dismantled the school's roof in January and has failed to refit it, leaving the young learners exposed to the elements.
School Functions Without Shelter, Raising Safety Concerns
The two-room primary school, located near Dando ground, caters to 14 students from Classes I to IV, with an additional 15 children awaiting admission in the upcoming academic year. Since classes resumed after the Christmas vacation, the building has been operating without any overhead shelter. Compounding the issue, this structure also serves as a polling booth during elections, highlighting its dual public utility.
With no roof to protect them, students are conducting their lessons in classrooms that are fully exposed to early-morning dew and the harsh midday sun. This has sparked serious concerns about the safety, health, and overall well-being of the children, who are vulnerable to weather extremes and potential hazards from ongoing construction work.
Administrative Delays and Contractor Issues Prolong the Crisis
Headmistress Rupali Dessai has made repeated appeals to the PWD and the appointed contractor, only to be informed that the necessary materials have not yet arrived from a factory located outside the state. This bureaucratic delay has left the school community in a precarious situation, with no immediate resolution in sight.
PWD executive engineer Vincent D'souza, who was recently transferred to division VIII overseeing government buildings, admitted that he lacks complete details of the pending work. However, he confirmed that a contract was awarded to a Pune-based firm to replace tiled roofs with sheets at two government primary schools: Colva and Cavelossim. The Pune contractor subsequently subcontracted the work, adding another layer of complexity to the project.
Construction Hazards and Safety Lapses Exacerbate Risks
Following the removal of the original tiled roof, fabrication work began to install the new sheets. Alarmingly, this involved drilling holes into classroom walls and welding metal members while students were present inside, posing direct physical risks. After local panch member Pio Furtado intervened, sheets were finally delivered to the site on February 6.
Subsequently, two laborers were observed applying anti-rust coating to the metal framework. However, they were reportedly not using safety harnesses or protective equipment, further endangering the lives of both students and teachers on the premises.
School Hours Curtailed as Officials Promise Swift Resolution
When questioned about why classes were not suspended until the roofing work was completed, Headmistress Dessai explained that holidays could not be declared. Instead, school hours have been reduced, with classes now held from 7:45 AM to noon to minimize exposure during the hottest part of the day.
Engineer D'souza has promised that efforts will be made to complete the work within a fortnight, offering a glimmer of hope for the beleaguered school. However, given the prolonged delays, the community remains skeptical about timely completion.
Similar Situation at Cavelossim School, Used Solely as Polling Booth
A parallel scenario exists at the Government Primary School in Cavelossim, where the entire roof has been removed and fabrication work completed. Sheets are already piled at the site, appearing to have been stored there for some time. The key difference is that this school currently has no enrolled students and is used exclusively as a polling booth during elections.
Cavelossim sarpanch Dixon Vaz revealed that a proposal has been submitted to the government to utilize the premises for self-help groups from the village, indicating potential repurposing of the facility. Nonetheless, the delayed repairs highlight broader systemic issues in maintaining public infrastructure in Goa.
This ongoing crisis underscores the urgent need for efficient governance and contractor accountability to ensure the safety and dignity of students in government schools. The exposure to harsh weather and construction hazards not only disrupts education but also violates basic child welfare standards, calling for immediate intervention from higher authorities.
