Students of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) Niangbari Lum in Ri Bhoi district have given a written complaint to the Federation of Khasi Jaiñtia and Garo People (FKJGP) complaining about lack of basic amenities in the school.
According to the students, the school has failed to provide them with clean drinking water, no proper toilet or washrooms both for boys and girls. Besides this the students said food at the accommodation is unhygienic and they were even given expired medicines and that supplies of sanitary pads was irregular.
The students stated that many of them have fallen ill due to its unhygienic environment and that one of their school mates is still admitted at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Bethany Hospital Outreach in Nongpoh.
They said that the principal is also not regular in attending the school and when this was raised he would turn silent and say, “Students are here for studies not for complaining.”
For a year the students said they have been subjected to hardships and complaints to school authorities have remained unheard, prompting them to seek help from the FKJGP.
Based on the complaint, the FKJGP North Khasi Hills District led by the Information Secretary Ricky Majaw, Education Secretary Gabriel Sunn and members today made a surprise visit to the school and said that the matters raised by the students is a cause of concern and the issue will be raised with the Deputy Commissioner on the matter.
