IT is rare to find a government primary school in this country that is fully equipped and functional.
Particularly in rural, peripheral areas, these schools lack even basic f acilities such as furniture, plumbing, electricity oraccess to safe drinking water.
In addition, there is a general lack of accountability where the primary purpose at some schools is to fill the coffers of their management committees` funds while covering up low attendance records of both teachers and students. Expecting quality education under such circumstances is foolish.
Even in such an environment, however, it is still extraordinary to find one abandoned school (in the village of Phullo Qumbrani, Union Council Pat Gul Muhammad Taluka Johi, District Dadu) that has been converted into a public latrine, while its windows and doors have been stolen and its concrete f acade is in a state of disrepair.
It is distressing to witness the condition of this orphaned school, given that education is the most ef fective tool that the poor can equip themselves with.
But the school can be reopened, provided that responsibility is taken at societal and administrative levels. I hope that the authorities concerned take note and ensure that less privileged schools are provided with the appropriate resources to remain functional and tackle illiteracy.
