Koderma: Despite being upgraded as a 'PM-Shri' institution, the PM-Shri Govt Middle School, Gumo-2, is grappling with a severe water crisis that is significantly disrupting educational activities. The scarcity of water has hit female students the hardest, as they are often compelled to leave the campus to use toilet facilities elsewhere.
School Background and Current Challenges
Established in 1935 along the Ranchi-Patna Road, the Jhumritilaiya-based school currently employs nine teachers who educate 214 students. The institution, despite its upgraded status, faces fundamental infrastructural failures.
Principal (in-charge) Anita Kumari elaborated on the dire situation: "The school's borewell is barely functional, yielding only a few buckets of water. The urban water supply has also failed after the motor stopped working, leaving the campus without water for over a week. Consequently, the toilets have become unusable, and even preparing the mandatory mid-day meals has turned into a daily struggle."
Impact on Students and Mid-Day Meal Program
Simran Kumari, a Class VIII student, shared her ordeal: "We often depend on nearby residents for water or have to walk back home to meet basic needs like using the toilet."
Hemanti Devi, President of the School Management Committee (SMC), highlighted the prolonged nature of the problem: "The water crisis has made it difficult to prepare mid-day meals for children for the last 2-3 years. Many times, food is cooked by bringing water from the neighbourhood well."
Official Response
District Superintendent of Education (DSE) Ajay Kumar visited the school on Thursday to assess the situation. He stated, "Both hand pump and water pipe connections exist on the campus. The water crisis is not severe but seasonal, occurring during summer months. This will be sorted soon."
The article is based on reporting by Manoj Kumar, who covers grassroots realities and local governance from Koderma district, capturing stories ranging from tragic accidents and wildlife conflicts to mining crackdowns and inspiring acts of humanity.
