Jiribam, August 21 2010: The Latingkhal Govt High School of Jiribam sub-division, Imphal East district is lying in shambles, uncared and unattended, thanks to Government apathy.

When inspected it came to light that the school is not only deprived of basic infrastructure but frequent absence of teaching staff has added to miseries of the students.

During the course of the inspection it was discovered that the school has no windows or doors and the students who brave all odds in seeking education have to endure torrid weather conditions as the State's trade-mark erratic power supply is no different in the sub-divisional headquarters.

Moreover, the school which ought to be a centre for moulding the future generation, has been transformed to cattle shed as animal excreta are scattered at almost every classroom.

other unique features of the School include perforated blackboards, broken desks and benches as well as non-existent motorable approach road, inspite of the fact that the educational institution is located only 15 kilometres from Jiribam town.

The School has standard VI to X class with only four teachers for the 150 strong students.

Interestingly, out of the four teachers two are informed to be graduate teachers and the others primary teachers.

The students are certain to face more inconveniences sooner than later as one of the teacher would be retiring in October this year.

It also came to light that the graduate teachers of Arts stream are constrained to impart Maths and Science lessons to the students as non posting of science teacher/s to the School had been a chronic problem for the past many years.

Moreover, the students are left to their own fate in learning the country's lingua franca for there is no Hindi teacher in the school with the available teachers reportedly naive on the subject.

The School was upgraded to the high school level in 1982, and despite its present pitiable condition, had been able to produce successful candidates in HSLC examinations in the two decade since upgradation.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a teacher contended that inadequacy of teaching staff and lack of infrastructure was conveyed to the (Jiri) Zonal Education Officer on several occasions but no concrete steps have been initiated to address condition of the school.

The teacher also disclosed that owing to absence of proper sanitation and power supply in the quarters provided for the teachers, the teaching staff are compelled to stay at rented quarters in Jiribam Town.

Another startling revelation is that in the absence of regular teacher/s, the School clerk teaches the students.

a Class X student also confided that due to frequent absence of teachers, students normally return home without being taught on most occasion but hastened to add that the school clerk enters classes apparently to ensure presence of the students during school hour.

on the otherhand, a guardian rued that nothing comprehensive could be expected from their wards as long as they pursue education in Latingkhal Govt High School in the present environment where negligence is the hallmark of the school.

The peeved guardian suggested that the School be shut down for its existence has reduced sanctity of an educational institution to a mockery.

Comment