What’s Happening at Baleshwar's Government Nodal High School? A Closer Look at Infrastructure Woes

Baleshwar's Government Nodal High School is facing significant infrastructure challenges, with students learning in unsafe conditions. Established in 1948, the school has seen a decline in enrollment due to inadequate classrooms and facilities. Despite some renovations under the 5T initiative, many students still attend classes in a dilapidated building. The headmaster and local residents are calling for urgent improvements to ensure a safer learning environment. Discover how these issues are affecting the future of education in this community.

By Ambika Singh Sep 22, 2026, 10:00 IST

Infrastructure Challenges at Government Nodal High School

By Banchhanidhi Dey

Baleshwar: Students at a government high school in Baleshwar district are currently learning in a deteriorating brick-and-asbestos building, as the institution struggles with inadequate classrooms and other infrastructural deficiencies, according to local parents and residents.

Established in 1948, the Government Nodal High School in Hirapur, located within the Gadapada panchayat of Basta block, has reportedly seen minimal progress over its nearly 80 years of operation, as claimed by the community.

The school is facing a significant shortage of classrooms, compelling students to study in an aging structure characterized by brick walls and an asbestos roof, which parents deem unsafe. Additionally, the campus lacks essential features such as boundary walls and a playground, and rainwater leaks into the staff common room during wet weather.

Local parents attribute the school's inadequate and chaotic infrastructure to a consistent decline in student enrollment over the years. Initially a primary school, it was upgraded to a high school in 1983.

On October 1, 2017, a separate UGUP school (serving Classes I to VII) that shared the same campus was merged with the high school. The institution underwent some renovations under the previous government's 5T initiative, which introduced smart classrooms and a drinking water facility.

Despite these improvements, the classroom shortage remains unresolved, forcing students to continue their education in the old, asbestos-roofed building, which residents argue is a safety hazard. Consequently, enrollment has significantly decreased.

At its peak, the school boasted over 500 students, but current enrollment has dwindled to just 346 across Classes I to X, a decline attributed to the poor conditions. Due to the lack of classrooms, students in Classes I, II, and III are being taught together in a single room.

Moreover, students from two additional classes are learning in unsafe conditions within one of three old brick-and-asbestos structures that predate the school's recent renovations. Approximately 30 percent of the student body belongs to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities, as per school records.

Headmaster Subal Kumar Behera noted that the 5T initiative provided two smart classrooms, drinking water facilities, and modern sports equipment. The state government has proposed to recognize the school as a Godavarish School, and a survey for this purpose has been completed, although the final report is still pending. Behera emphasized that efforts are being made to foster a robust academic environment.

However, he mentioned that the school's managing committee has not been established due to a lack of quorum. Gopal Chandra Sahu, president of the alumni association, pointed out that the school only has eight classrooms for ten classes.

Two of these classrooms are located in abandoned, asbestos-roofed buildings, which disrupts the learning process. Sahu has called for an improved playground to enhance students' physical and mental development, along with better lighting on campus.

Chhotray Murmu, an alumnus who later served as a finance adviser to the state government, reminisced about his time at the school, recalling how a dedicated headmaster supported him despite his family's financial struggles. He believes that addressing the school's fundamental infrastructure issues could pave the way for a brighter future for its students.

District Education Officer Basant Kumar Nayak confirmed that the school has not yet received approval under the Godavarish School scheme. He assured that once government funding is allocated, necessary steps will be taken to enhance infrastructure and add more classrooms.