Education – Komira Students Face Classroom Crisis as School Infrastructure Worsens
Education – The new academic session has begun on a difficult note for dozens of children studying at the Government Primary School in Komira village of Ravikamatham mandal, located in Anakapalle district. Instead of returning to a comfortable learning environment, students are struggling with a severe shortage of classroom space after one of the school buildings was declared unsafe for occupation.
The situation has left teachers, parents, and students concerned about both education quality and student safety. On Monday, residents gathered outside the Komira Swarna Panchayat office and demanded urgent intervention from authorities. They called for immediate arrangements to ensure uninterrupted learning and requested the construction of a new school building.
Unsafe Structure Raises Safety Concerns
The primary school serves 68 students from Classes I to V, with many children belonging to Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and Backward Class families. The campus consists of two buildings, but one of them has deteriorated significantly over time.
According to local residents, the damaged structure suffers from leaking roofs, visible wall cracks, and portions of concrete peeling away from the ceiling. Officials have reportedly inspected the building and determined that it is no longer safe for students or staff to use.
As a result, school authorities have been forced to rearrange classes within the limited space available in the remaining building.
Students Forced to Study in Temporary Spaces
With only one functional structure left, the school has adopted temporary measures to continue academic activities. Students of Classes IV and V are being accommodated inside the available classroom, while Classes II and III are attending lessons in the veranda area.
The shortage of space has become so severe that Class I students are currently being taught inside a nearby Rama temple. School furniture, educational materials, and administrative work are all being managed within the same restricted area, creating challenges for both teaching and learning.
Parents say these arrangements are far from ideal and are affecting students’ concentration and overall classroom experience.
Rising Admissions Add to Existing Challenges
The pressure on the school has increased further due to a rise in student enrolment this year. During the previous academic session, the school had 49 students. However, the addition of 24 new admissions has pushed the total strength close to 70.
Although an extra teacher has been assigned to support academic activities, the lack of adequate classrooms continues to remain a major issue. Teachers are finding it difficult to manage multiple classes effectively under the present conditions.
Monsoon Season Intensifies Difficulties
Parents have also expressed concern about the impact of the ongoing monsoon season. They say even the building that remains in use experiences moisture-related problems, including damp walls and water seepage during periods of heavy rainfall.
Many fear that continued exposure to such conditions could further damage the structure and disrupt classroom activities. Residents believe immediate preventive measures are necessary before the situation worsens.
Demand for Temporary and Permanent Solutions
Community members have appealed to the administration to identify suitable government land and arrange a temporary shelter through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) support until a permanent school building is approved and constructed.
Headmistress Rama Padmavathi stated that ₹11.24 lakh had been sanctioned under the Nadu-Nedu programme for renovation works, including toilet repairs and replacement of windows. However, she noted that larger infrastructure concerns affecting the school remain unresolved.
Meanwhile, Rolugunta MEO-2 Jagga Rao said reports regarding unsafe school buildings in Komira and several nearby villages, including Dibbalapalem, Addasaram, Gangavaram, M. Pedapeta, and Gurralabayalu, have already been submitted to the government for necessary action.
For families in Komira, the priority remains clear: providing children with secure classrooms where education can continue without safety risks or interruptions.