Madhepura: Children at a primary school in Piprahi village of Madhepura’s Ghailadh block have to wade through a muddy footpath cutting across standing paddy fields to attend classes, exposing them to considerable hardship during the monsoon.The school was built in 2006 in a scheduled caste-dominated area in the middle of farmland, but without an approach road. Its 115 students and three teachers have to cross the muddy path, often walking barefoot while carrying their footwear in their hands, students Anjali Kumari and Sushil Kumar said.Villagers said children frequently slip in the mud and soil their clothes while making their way to school. Some have to return home to change, while others stay back if they do not have another set of clothes.The school has four rooms, with one used as an office and three for classes I to V. The ceiling is in poor condition, with water dripping through it during the monsoon. Villagers said no repair work had been carried out since the school was constructed.A woman teacher, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the school has been used as a polling booth during every general parliamentary and assembly election, and the problem is known to everyone.Pooja Kumari, block education officer, Ghailadh, said, “Though I joined recently, the matter had already been brought to the notice of senior authorities and a requisition seeking remedial measures had been forwarded.”Headmaster Karmvir Kumar and assistant teacher Muneshwar Ram did not respond to queries.
