Construction of a government primary school building has not been completed on time leading to a decrease in student numbers due to insufficient class rooms in Sawrti village, Rizua Sub-Township, Matupi Township in Chin State.
Pu Lai Ram Thang were contracted to construct the 60x20 feet school building at an estimated cost of Ks. 1.4 million. The building was to be completed before June this year, but much work is yet to be done.
“There were 90 students in the beginning of the academic session, but now there are 74 as there are not enough class rooms and a shortage of school teachers. Although the roofs are completed, the walls are not complete yet,” said a student’s parent to Khonumthung News.
The building contractor Maman Pa has asked block leaders to sign off the building work as completed but they have refused to sign it off leading to an argument between them.
There were four teachers, including the headmaster, at the school, but one teacher has resigned following orders from the state government. Two teachers are still studying at a distance education centre and they are absent for two months a year.
A parent said: “Now there are only three teachers in the school, two of which are absent two months a year. In such a situation how can the headmaster manage all the students for those two months. It affects the education of our children."
The township Assistant Inspector of Education made a field visit to the school on 23 September. Although the students’ parents requested that he ensure completion of the school building immediately for their children’s education there has still been no follow up from the relevant department till now.
