Cachar Zilla Parishad allots funds for makeshift classroom and toilet for Frenchnagar Khasia Punjee LP School

Two days ago, it came to light that a school in Paglacherra, called Frenchnagar Khasia Punjee LP School, had been occupied by personnel from the 6AP battalion for security reasons since July 26, 2021. This was due to an interstate border dispute between Mizoram and Assam, which led to the Mizoram police firing at security forces from Assam. The school has 33 students across five standards and three permanent teachers. When Covid restrictions were lifted in late 2021, the teachers met with the school committee and decided to hold classes at a nearby temple. However, this location proved to be too scary for the students, so the teachers and locals built a makeshift classroom on a hill owned by a local resident with his permission.

The makeshift classroom, which was made from bamboo and tin, has raised some concerns. The pupils from all five standards have to sit together, and they defecate in an open drain surrounded by cheap polythene. Their mid-day meal is cooked in a private kitchen of a local resident and distributed in the common classroom.

However, in the latest development, the Cachar Zilla Parishad has taken cognizance of the situation and allocated 6,86,000 rupees for the construction of a proper makeshift classroom and toilet. This decision was made during a District Planning Committee (DPC) meeting of Cachar Zilla Parishad attended by the Deputy Commissioner of Cachar as well.

Speaking to our correspondent, Cachar Zilla Parishad Chairman Amitab Rai said, “The DC of Cachar has asked the BDO and GP secretary of the area to start the work immediately. We don’t know when Police will vacate the school as there’s a border issue with Mizoram. But at the district level, we have taken this decision so that the students can continue their classes and study with ease. The money has been allotted from 15th Finance Commission of the financial year 2021-22.”