Leaky Roofs and Soaked Books: Children Attend School in Water-Filled Classrooms in Meghalaya. Will CM Conrad Sangma Act?

Located about 23 km from Tikrikilla near Raksamgre, is not in a conflict zone or makeshift facility, it is a govt school in Meghalaya.

In a state where the education sector receives the highest share of the state budget, the ground reality in Chinaramgre village paints a disturbing picture. A viral video has exposed the harsh conditions at the Chinaramgre Government Lower Primary School in Meghalaya, where children are seen attending classes under a roof that’s nearly 50% damaged soaked by rain, sitting in puddles, and holding drenched books.

The school, located about 23 km from Tikrikilla near Raksamgre, is not in a conflict zone or makeshift facility, it is a government school in Meghalaya, its condition mirrors a crisis of neglect that has continued for years.

The video has triggered public outcry and renewed scrutiny of the state’s education infrastructure. Marking Stone B. Marak, president of the school committee, revealed that a memorandum was submitted in 2022 to former MLA Benidick Marak. The current MLA, Limison Sangma, was also informed verbally and had even visited the site yet no repairs have been made to date.

“We have communicated our concerns. But till now, no action has followed,” said Marak. “Children come back home soaked, their books ruined. It’s disheartening.”

The Garo Students’ Union (GSU) Western Zone, led by president Odith Sangma, visited the school after seeing the video online. “It’s heartbreaking. Children told us their books get soaked during class. We appeal to Education Minister Rakkam Sangma and Chief Minister Conrad Sangma to take urgent steps to restore this school,” said Sangma.

Well, as per inputs, the school at Chinaramgre is not the only one. Another government LP school in Tosinpara, near Raksamgre, is reportedly in equally dilapidated condition.

Observers say this is part of a larger, long-standing problem in Meghalaya’s rural education system. Despite education receiving the largest share of the state budget, the majority of funds are consumed by salaries, leaving infrastructure development grossly underfunded.

The Chinaramgre outbreak underscores the inefficiency of budget utilization and has reignited calls for a comprehensive audit of fund allocation in the education sector particularly in rural areas where basic learning conditions remain a far cry from acceptable standards.

Children are often called the hope of a brighter future. But when they are forced to study under leaking ceilings, hope turns to despair. If Meghalaya truly seeks to empower its future, education must go beyond numbers and speeches, it must be felt in the classrooms, in the roofs that don’t leak, and in the books that don’t get wet.

Also Read: Shillong Eviction Drive: Police Bazar to Become Pedestrian-Only Musical Zone, Certified Vendors Told to Relocate by July 22

Also Watch:

COMMENTS