Govt school at Lalbagh in bad shape, becomes den for illegal activities

BENGALURU: On Rajyotsava day, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced free water and electricity to government schools. Forget water for electricity supply, the government school at Doddavamalli in Lalbagh is in such a pitiable state with no basic infrastructure. While Deputy Chief minister D K Shivakumar has plans to burnish ‘Brand Bengaluru’, this school, in the heart of Bengaluru, has become a den for illegal activities like alcohol consumption and drug abuse.

Anita, who donated land for the school, explaining the shape and pathetic conditions of the school, said there are cracks in the roof. “On one side, part of the building has collapsed completely and the compound wall is in a dilapidated state. This school has a long history and there is an increasing awareness among people to save and develop Kannada schools in recent years. The government allots crores to the Education Department for development of Kannada schools, but no one knows what happens to the funds. Only government schools are left underdeveloped”, she lamented.

She further said, “The Nammura Government Higher Primary School is as old as 150 years old and many scholars have studied at this school, including popular writer K S Nisar Ahmed. This is a residential school and a primary school too. There are 65 boys studying at this school. But, the children are suffering without basic infrastructure facilities. There is no facility for drinking water. There is an old, dilapidated Urdu school right in front of the school which has turned into a shelter for illegal activities by bullies. They consuem liquor and ganja there and trespass the government schools too. We have brought it to the attention of the Education Department officials, but they have not taken any action”.