A deteriorating primary school building in Paluni village of Tehri district is being used by 19 students despite concerns about cracks and weakened sections. Residents have asked the district administration and education authorities to inspect the premises and take urgent safety measures.
The school is located in Gram Panchayat Koti Fagul, within Bhilangna block. Constructed in 1996, the building is now about 30 years old. Local residents say prolonged gaps in repair and maintenance have contributed to its poor condition.
Rain damage and safety concerns
Sandeep Kumar, the village head of Koti-Fagul, said repeated rainfall over the past few years has caused further damage. Cracks have appeared at several points along the walls, while the roof and other parts of the structure appear weakened.
Classes continue inside the building, leaving students and teachers concerned about their safety. Parents and other villagers fear that a damaged section could fall if corrective work is delayed. The condition has also affected the learning environment for the children attending the school.
The concerns relate not only to the structure itself but also to the absence of a secure, fear-free setting for classroom instruction. Residents say children should not have to continue studying under conditions where the roof or another part of the building may pose a risk.
Request for inspection and official action
Kumar has urged the district magistrate to arrange an on-site inspection at the earliest. Residents want the relevant departmental team to assess the building’s actual condition and determine the required work through a technical examination.
They have also requested that the school be declared damaged under the required natural-disaster process. According to the residents, this could enable approval of funds for repair or reconstruction, subject to the applicable procedure.
The local demand includes construction of a new school building. Residents have asked the government, administration and education department to begin action on that option without delay. If reconstruction takes time, they want immediate essential repairs or a safe alternative arrangement for the students.
Education must continue safely
Residents say uninterrupted education and student safety must be addressed together. They have called for action before any mishap occurs, rather than waiting for an incident to force intervention.
Their requests to the district magistrate and the concerned department include an immediate inspection, approval of the necessary funds and early commencement of repair or reconstruction work. The stated objective is to protect the 19 students while keeping their education uninterrupted.
Conclusion
The Paluni primary school’s 1996 building remains in use despite reported cracks and rain-related damage. Residents are seeking an official inspection, funding and either urgent repairs, reconstruction or a safe alternative arrangement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Where is the affected school located?
The primary school is in Paluni village, Gram Panchayat Koti Fagul, in Tehri district’s Bhilangna block.
Q. How many students study at the school?
The school currently has 19 students.
Q. When was the school building constructed?
The building was constructed in 1996 and is about 30 years old.
Q. What damage has been reported?
Cracks have reportedly appeared in several walls, while the roof and other parts of the building appear weakened after repeated rainfall.
Q. Who has sought action from the administration?
Sandeep Kumar, the Koti-Fagul village head, and local residents have requested official intervention.
Q. What action are residents seeking?
They want an immediate inspection, necessary funding, repair or reconstruction, and a safe alternative arrangement if construction is delayed.
Q. Why do residents want the building declared disaster-damaged?
They have made the request so that the required process for approving repair or reconstruction funds can be initiated.
