Old govt school in Hubballi lacks toilets, basic facilities

Hubballi: Govt High School in Kuradikeri, Hubballi taluk, is grappling with a severe shortage of basic facilities. Established before independence, the school now operates its high school classes from the primary school building.
High school students are deprived of toilets, playground, and other basic amenities, and the toilet block that was being constructed remains incomplete. Despite repeated requests by the school development and monitoring committee (SDMC) to the govt, there has been no progress.
Children are suffering without toilet facilities for many years. Girl students face challenges during their menstrual cycle, and skip school to avoid complications. There is only one toilet room which is used by female staff and children. Looking at these problems, a toilet room was sanctioned in 2023, and the work was carried out by Karadikoppa GP, but was left incomplete.
Basavaraj Waddar, president of SDMC of Govt School Kuradikeri, told TOI that in 2012, the state govt sanctioned a high school for the convenience of four to five villages nearby. After 2017, the student strength of the school increased, and approximately 208 children are enrolled now.
Waddar said that they are facing infrastructure issues and are managing to run classes in the primary school building. "Around Rs 2 crore funding was sent back as there was no space to construct toilets for girls," he added.
Parents expressed concern saying that their children are facing hardship. They urged that hygienic toilets must be constructed for students.
Umesh Bommakknavar, block education officer of Hubballi Rural, said that the high school infrastructure is left incomplete, as they are facing issues with the land. "Every year, crores of funds released to the school are returned. The school has approached donors and construction of the three classrooms will begin soon. They have requested the GP to complete the construction of toilets at the earliest," he said.
Karadikoppa PDO Savita Kabber assured that toilet construction will also be taken up.