School functions in gas godown backyard, education department unmoved

Precious lives of Students at Risk

School functions in gas godown backyard, education department unmoved

Saahil Suhail

Anantnag, May 07, 2014:  Putting precious lives of hundreds of innocent students at risk, Al Fazal Convent- a private School continues to function in the backyard of gas godown in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district. Ironically, since years now education department officers besides repeated complaints have not mustered courage to close down the school or gas godown which can claim the lives of students in case of deadly disaster.

Al Fazal Convent- a private co-educational primary school at Uranhal Anantnag is functioning in the backyard of gas godown of Showket gas agency. Distance between the gas agency’s godown and school is not more than 15ft.

School reportedly established in 2005 has now given birth to number of questions over the functioning of education department as since the year department hasn’t bothered about the lives of students neither as mustered courage to go tuff against the school owner, who is reportedly enjoying the patronage of top officials of the department.

“It is surprising that how education department has recognized and allowed school to function near a gas godown which can have serious results in case of disaster.” Said noted child rights activist, Rao Farman Ali, adding by allowing school to function state department of education is putting the lives of students at risk.

“This is all because of corruption how can the department allow school to function near a bomb. In case of any disaster, It is high risk and I fail to understand why department is not taking action against the school.” A noted educationist said.

Sources inside the CEO office Anantnag told early times that several officials since from last years have visited the school but no one had actually initiated action. “Every official including the concerned Zonal Educational Officer visits the school gets handful amount and allows school to function normally.” They added.

Senior officials of the department at Anantnag said that it was against the rules to allow a school to function at place which was not safe for the students. “It is not only that near gas godown a school can’t function but there are also places also. The basic rule and priority of the department must always be to ensure the safety of students.” They said

Informed sources told Early Times that School also lacks the facility of fire extinguishers also besides being located in the backyard of gas godown.

Chief Education Officer Anantnag, Ghulam Rasool when contacted said that he will visit the school.

“Couple of days before it stroked my mind that how big risk it is, so I will visit the school tomorrow and share with you the rest after it.” CEO said