“Our community needs more attention from the government. School infrastructures are not up to the mark. The classrooms are not adequate, there is electricity problem and acute hygiene problem,” said F A Kubhai, the principal of ‘Huda Publc School’.

There is a common perception amongst people that private schools have better infrastructure than government schools, but in reality it is nothing but an illusion. Private school infrastructures in Topsia are no better.

“A group of CRY volunteers have been working in Topsia to bring forth the education issues plaguing the community and trying to bring in positive change towards ensuring every child’s right to education. Any responsible citizen can become a volunteer and try to act similarly; it is time we all act together and bring in the desired change,” said Anupama Muhuri, manager-volunteer action, CRY.

Some of the school premises are at times used for commercial purposes like motorbike showrooms. One class is shared for the purpose of multiple classrooms. Both the boys and girls are sharing the same toilets. Schools are located near the leather and rubber factories (the prime source of pollution). Average teacher student ratio is 1:60 when the ideal should be 1:30.

“The educational atmosphere of Topsia is not very good. The infrastructures of both the government schools as well as many private schools are not decent enough,” said Fahim Hayat Khan, a representative from an non-government organisation (NGO) called ‘SAKET,’ which works for the right of children.

According to the provisions of the ‘Right To Education Act’ all schools must have fully functional library providing newspapers, reading materials and storybooks. All school buildings must have separate toilets for boys and girls and most importantly clean drinking water facilities should be provided to the children. Lastly, two teachers must be responsible for every 60 children.