The students of Government Higher Secondary School Sartingal, Bhaearwah, on Thursday staged a strong protest demonstration against the education department for its failure to provide adequate infrastructure, teaching staff and drinking water.
The protest was organised under the banner of Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), unit Bhaderwah.
The students assembled outside school premises and took out a protest rally to Sartingal Chowk, where they held strong protest against the government and raised slogans against the education department for failing to provide adequate staff besides drinking water and other facilities.
The protesting students said that they have urging the administration since the past many years to address their issues but “nothing has been done”.
They also blocked Sartingal link road connecting Bhaderwah-Chamba, Bhaderwah-Sartingal road and Sharekhi road at Sartingal Chowk for one hour.
“360 students are enrolled here in this institution and only 3 rooms are available for them. We are forced to study in the open,” said Abhimanyu Padha, a protesting student.
“Due to shortage of infrastructure and teachers, our precious time is being wasted. Whenever we met the educational authorities they assured us of doing the needful but they did nothing,” said Samreen Ul Nisa, a student of 10th class.
“On one side the government is claiming that it will provide proper education to children especially of the rural area but on the ground, their claim has proved false,” said Madhurima Manhas, another student of the school.
Later, sensing gravity of the situation, Tehsildar Bhaderwah Masood Ahmed along with SHO Muneer Khan rushed to the spot and pacified the students.
Tehsildar assured them that their demands are genuine and will be redressed at the earliest.
After getting assurance from the administration, students called off their protest and went to their classes.