Crisis at Bhatapura School: Students Face Unsafe Conditions and Lack of Basic Facilities

The Bhatapura Government Upgraded Upper Primary School in Sambalpur district is in dire straits, with students facing unsafe classrooms, inadequate sanitation, and contaminated drinking water. Despite numerous complaints to local authorities, little action has been taken to address these pressing issues. The headmaster and School Management Committee are calling for urgent repairs and improvements to ensure a safe learning environment for the 162 students enrolled. This situation highlights the ongoing challenges in educational infrastructure in rural areas. Read on to discover more about the conditions at this school and the efforts being made to resolve them.

By Ambika Singh Sep 3, 2026, 18:28 IST

Unsafe Learning Environment at Bhatapura Government School

By Rabindra Prasad Dani

Location: Jamankira

At the Bhatapura Government Upgraded Upper Primary School in the Dimirimunda panchayat of Sambalpur district, students are grappling with poor infrastructure that includes unsafe classrooms, incomplete sanitation facilities, and contaminated drinking water.

The school caters to 162 students from Sishu Vatika to Class VIII.

Out of the six classrooms, two are in a state of complete disrepair, and significant cracks have developed in the walls of the remaining rooms.

Hanging broken asbestos sheets from the ceiling present a serious risk, prompting school officials to cease using these unsafe classrooms.

Consequently, students from nine different classes are now crammed into just four rooms.

Sanitation issues are also alarming.

A toilet that was approved by the panchayat for construction at a cost of Rs 50,000 remains unfinished, while the existing toilet is no longer functional.

During the rainy season, water accumulates knee-deep in front of the toilet, making it nearly impossible to access.

This situation particularly affects female students, who are forced to seek alternatives outdoors.

Moreover, the school lacks access to safe drinking water, with water from the hand pump reportedly turning yellow, raising serious hygiene concerns and the potential for waterborne illnesses.

Headmaster Dhaniram Behera noted that the school, established in 1961, has seen little improvement in its infrastructure over the decades.

He emphasized the urgent need for repairs and upgrades to the buildings.

Durga Sethi, president of the School Management Committee, mentioned that multiple complaints have been lodged with the Block Education Officer (BEO) and Block Development Officer (BDO).

He also attended a public grievance session with the District Collector alongside the sarpanch.

Sethi stated that BDO Rabindra Kumar Sethi visited the school two months ago and promised action, but no progress has been made.

Debaki Naik, the Additional Block Education Officer, confirmed that a complaint had been received and assured that the issues would be addressed promptly.

Sambalpur DEO Lakshman Bhoi acknowledged the seriousness of the problems and promised a permanent resolution soon.