MUNGER, BIHAR — Piles of cattle dung, overgrown bushes, and accumulating garbage now fill what was supposed to be a modern sanctuary for rural education. In Munger’s Prasando village, a newly constructed two-story building meant for Primary School Naya Tola sits locked, unused, and deteriorating—just one year after its completion.
Built at an estimated cost of Rs 30 lakh, the government facility was expected to transform learning conditions for 83 local children. Instead, students remain forced to continue their education in a cramped, dilapidated community center where the school has operated for two decades.
The roadblock to progress is literal: the new structure lacks an approach road and electricity, rendering it inaccessible and non-functional.
A Land Donation Undone by Inaction
For years, Primary School Naya Tola struggled without a permanent home. The breakthrough came when a local family stepped forward to donate private land, paving the way for construction following an initiative led by Munger MP Rajeev Ranjan Singh (alias Lalan Singh).
However, celebration quickly turned to frustration. Because the surrounding land remains privately owned, nearby landowners have refused to grant right-of-way access, leaving the school completely landlocked.
"The school has been built, but there is no road," said Sushmita Kumari, a Class 5 student. "We have to cross a muddy field to get near it. It’s been over a year, and we still can’t study in our new school."
Fellow student Mannu Rani voiced a simple request: "We just want a proper road and electricity so we can study regularly in the new building."
Mid-Day Meals Cooked on Mud Floors
While the new facility gathers dust, conditions at the temporary community center continue to deteriorate. Cooking staff operate out of a makeshift tin shed with a earthen floor, struggling to maintain basic sanitation—especially during the monsoon season.
"We face immense difficulties preparing meals in mud and dirt, which raises serious concerns about food hygiene," said Mamta Kumari, a mid-day meal cook. "The children are forced to sit on the dirty floor to eat their meals."
The absence of sanitation facilities presents an additional challenge for the all-female kitchen staff, who have worked without an accessible toilet for years.
Administrative Deadlock and Departmental Reports
School Principal Neeraj Kumar Nirala explained that the building was completed prior to his tenure, but official hand-over procedures and logistical challenges delayed its opening.
"When we reached out to neighboring landowners to secure a pathway from the main road, they refused, stating it was private property," Nirala said. "Without access, shifting the school proved impossible."
Nirala added that an official report detailing the road access, power connectivity, and kitchen space shortfalls has been submitted to the District Education Officer for administrative intervention.
Local Authorities Promise Swift Resolution
Responding to the situation, Haveli Kharagpur Block Development Officer (BDO) Sanjay Kumar described the prolonged delay as a serious matter and assured that remedial steps would be taken immediately.
"If children are unable to attend a newly constructed building due to a lack of access roads and power, it requires urgent action," Kumar said. "We will inspect the site and coordinate with the necessary departments to ensure road access and electrical connections are provided promptly. Children’s education must not be compromised."
