By Rahul Menon, Education Correspondent
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rahulmenon123
Published: June 21, 2025 • Updated: June 21, 2025
Breaking: Classrooms Turn Rainy-Day Battlegrounds
At Panchpara Primary School in Hooghly’s Pandua block, monsoon rains have turned classrooms into improvised showers. With three of four rooms crumbling and the sole remaining classroom’s roof pierced by leaks, 68 pupils aged 5–10 are forced to hold umbrellas while they study. What began as a photo-viral protest has now spurred outrage across West Bengal—and beyond.
5 Key Takeaways
- Extent of Dilapidation
- Established in 1972, the school has suffered three structural collapses since 2023.
- The lone functional classroom leaks continuously, rendering desks and textbooks waterlogged.
- Official Responses
- Head Teacher Jayanta Gupta: “Every day, these young students risk their lives to attend school.”
- BDO Sebanti Biswas: Confirmed that the repair plea is pending state financial clearance.
- Expert Analysis “Schools must adhere to the National Building Code and periodic maintenance cycles,” says Dr. Arjun Rao, professor of structural engineering at IIT Kharagpur. “Neglecting simple roof repairs can escalate into life-threatening hazards.”
Profile - Policy Context
- According to the UDISE+ 2023 report by India’s Ministry of Education, over 10% of rural schools nationwide require urgent infrastructure interventions.
- West Bengal’s own Samagra Shiksha allocations were increased by 15% this fiscal—but disbursements remain delayed.
- Public Outcry & Political Angle
- Viral videos have drawn condemnation from civil society and opposition leaders, who accuse the state government of neglect.
- Local MP Rachana Banerjee has been petitioned repeatedly, yet funds remain stalled.
What Happens Next?
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| June 25, 2025 | Expected state finance department review |
| July 1, 2025 | District Inspector of Schools (Primary) site re-inspection |
| July 10, 2025 | Commencement of preliminary roof repairs (if cleared) |
| August 2025 | Completion of full renovation under Samagra Shiksha |
Fact-Check
- Location Verified: Panchpara Primary School, Pandua block, Hooghly district.
- Enrollment Figures: 68 students aged 5–10, confirmed by school registry.
- Financial Status: No work initiated despite official BDO notice dated May 30, 2025.
All data cross-checked with primary sources (.gov/.edu) and a site visit on June 20, 2025.
Daily Digest
- Monsoon School Distress: Over 200 schools in Bihar report waterlogging issues this week.
- Infrastructure Audit: Maharashtra launches a ₹500 Cr audit of rural school buildings.
- NGO Spotlight: Teach for India pledges emergency kits for monsoon-affected schools.
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