School for Dalits running on its ruins

Established in 1959 with the purpose to rehabilitate children of "denotified criminal tribes", Vikas Vidyalaya — the oldest boarding school for Dalits in Allahabad — is now in shambles owing to government apathy.

Recognised by the UP Board in 1974 and funded by the state government, the school has been providing education to the children of the denotified criminal tribes till Class X.

The school building has 13 classrooms of which 10 rooms are not in proper condition for teaching, as roofs and walls have developed cracks. "We cannot take classes in these rooms due to the imminent threat to the lives of the students," said BB Joshi, Principal of the school.

One of the two hostels has not been used for long after its roof had collapsed. "In the space meant for two students, eight students live in each room in the hostel," said Joshi.

"The school gets Rs 18 per day per child for food as opposed to Rs 40 given to other government-aided schools. Only Rs 150 per year per student is given for books and Rs 300 annually for clothes," added Joshi.

The children study under trees and stairs and are exposed to heat, rain and cold in the absence of proper classrooms, said SP Tiwari, general secretary of the Teachers Association.

District Magistrate Rajeev Agrawal, who is the chairman of the management committee, said recently the staff had apprised him of the poor conditions. He had written to the Ministry of Social Welfare demanding allocation of fund for the school.

"The government will decide on the basis of my report," he added.

The staff members claim that they have approached the Minister of Social Welfare, Indrajeet Saroj, several times, but in vain.

... contd.

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