Students Study in Fan-less Classrooms Amidst Heat in Rautahat

Rautahat. The heatwave in the Tarai-Madhes region is increasing day by day. In such a situation, hundreds of students at Adharbhut School Mewa in Fatuwa Vijaypur Municipality-3 of Rautahat are forced to study in classrooms without fans. The number of teachers is low in proportion to the students, affecting the students' studies.

Despite the difficulty of sitting in the classroom amidst extreme heat, students are compelled to study in the same environment daily.

The school has 542 students studying from early childhood education to class 8. However, none of the 12 classrooms in the school have fans. The school administration stated that fans cannot be installed because electricity wiring has not been done in the building, which was completed four years ago.

According to local social worker Birendra Yadav, not only students but also teachers and staff are forced to work in an uncomfortable environment due to the heat. He said that it is difficult to stay in the classroom for a long time due to the high temperature.

According to the school's headmaster Ramjanam Mahato, the problem has arisen because electricity wiring was not done during the construction of the building. He said that after he transferred to the school, the cost estimate for wiring showed that approximately 150,000 rupees would be required.

"The school does not have its own source of income. We have not been able to proceed with the wiring work due to lack of budget," said Headmaster Mahato.

The problem in the school is not just heat and lack of infrastructure, but also an extreme shortage of teachers, which is equally serious. In the school where 542 students study, only four primary level teachers, one lower secondary level grant teacher, one early childhood development facilitator, and one office assistant are working.

Based on this, one teacher has to take responsibility for an average of more than 110 students. Although the government standard for Madhes Province is one teacher for every 40 students, there is a significant lack of required staffing in the school.

Headmaster Mahato stated that due to the shortage of teachers, it is difficult to conduct regular classes, evaluate homework, monitor students' individual learning progress, and provide extra support to weak students. He said that it directly affects classroom management and subject-specific teaching.

Headmaster Mahato has repeatedly urged the municipality to add teacher positions, manage teachers from private sources, and improve building wiring and other infrastructure, but no effective action has been taken so far.

"We have repeatedly informed the municipality about the actual needs and problems of the school. However, no concrete steps have been taken for a solution," he complained.

Attempts to contact Fatuwa Vijaypur Municipality's acting mayor Ambeaya Khatun for comment on this matter were unsuccessful.

Given that students' health, learning outcomes, and the overall educational environment are being affected during the hot summer season, parents and local residents of the school have demanded that the municipality immediately arrange the necessary budget for wiring, fan installation, and additional teachers.