Counterparts in Delhi shine brighter with 569 students qualifying for NEET this year
The prestigious Cotton Collegiate Government Higher Secondary School, situated in the heart of Guwahati – Panbazar - is slowly acquiring the shape of ruins. Today, it is a campus full of dilapidated buildings.
A close inspection of the 185 years old school campus by an alumnus brought to light the disintegrated and dejected state this historic institution is in, which would otherwise have remained unknown to the masses and hence remained in continued negligence.
It needs to be mentioned that contrary to the quality of education imparted in the government schools of Assam, their counterparts in a few other states of the country are doing phenomenally well. Government schools of the national capital have not just secured 99 percent results, Delhi government school students set another performance benchmark with 53 students qualifying for JEE Advance and 569 students for NEET this year. In recent years many schools of the state have also seen reverse admission flow, with students from private schools joining government-run institutions instead.
To start with, the two-storey building where classes are presently held itself remains unattended and neglected. The condition of the functioning classrooms is unhealthy and unsafe. While most doors and windows are either broken or completely missing, the roof leaks at many parts. This building was constructed only in 1969-70 and is still referred to by many as the ‘new building’.
“We have had instances where parts of the roof had given away on students and teachers while class was going on,” recalled the principal, Balay Kumar Borah, to G Plus.
The toilets are unclean, unhygienic, without proper water supply and sewerage system. Of the eight toilets, four do not even have water linkage.
While the number of students has been gradually diminishing over the years, the school is not even able to provide enough desks and benches for the ones currently enrolled. Hence, an alumnus of the school recently donated about 50 desk-bench sets.
The weather-battered crumbling walls, the flaking paint of not just the classrooms but the exterior of the building still go unnoticed by the administration and the ministry alike, many of whose officials and members are themselves alumni of Cotton Collegiate School. And not to forget its prime location, surrounded by some of the most important offices of the city, from the Deputy Commissioner’s office to the Guwahati Municipal Corporation and the judiciary itself in close proximity even as it stands right next to the main road, the Mahatma Gandhi Road, that see footfall of the ministers every single day.
Apart from this main structure, a part of this oldest school building that was constructed in 1834 is still standing, but of course in a shambles. The lack of understanding, interest and the lackadaisical attitude of the people and higher officials of Assam at preserving our heritage cannot be overlooked as this structure, that could have been converted into the oldest temple of education in the entire northeast region, is in a deplorable condition, covered in wild plants, vines and mosses, at the southern part of the campus right next to the two storey building.
In 2009, when the school celebrated its 175th anniversary, the alumni association of the school, comprising well-established names of the state, proposed to set up this structure as a ‘Heritage Centre’. In 2010, retired teacher of the school, Nagendra Nath Choudhury, laid the cornerstone for its restoration. But due to reasons unknown, this heritage building continues to be in ruins even after 10 years.
The Cotton Collegiate Alumni Association also undertook an initiative to build a three storey structure consisting of classroom and an auditorium about 6 to 7 years ago. Rs. 5 crores was given by the government for the noble cause. But reportedly due to financial crisis and other mismanagement its completion has been hampered.
Jugal Goswami, president of the governing body of Cotton Collegiate Higher Secondary School, speaking to G Plus said, “We are in a severe financial crunch. Since it is a completely government-funded institution, it is their responsibility to look after the overall maintenance and up-gradation of the school. Ever since education was made free-of-cost at our school, we do not collect any fee from the students. Hence, there is no source of income to take up any high scale maintenance. And there is no such funding as well. We get some funds for other matters like the procurement of sport goods, uniform, etc. But for overall development, we get a minimal amount annually. That is just around Rs. 40,000 and it is for our day-to-day use. It’s not possible to work on the physical condition of the school with that money.”
Balay Kumar Borah, Principal, said, “We have been repeatedly writing to the Public Work Department (PWD), the concerned authority for maintenance of the school campus. We have also reached out to the government time and again. But nothing has been done so far. Sadly, the PWD Commissioner himself is an alumnus of our school.”
“Currently, there is no proper water supply, no drainage, many iron grills and pipes have broken due to rusting, the ceiling fans and switchboards of many rooms are non-functional. We undertake certain repair work from time to time, but those are temporary services. We need some major funding and renovation on a grand scale to set things straight. For that, financial intervention from the government is a must,” he added.
“Last year, the PWD officials inspected the campus after such a complaint was raised. They assured us of immediate steps and showed us an estimate of Rs. 42 lakhs. But nothing materialised. And the lockdown has added to the woes,” added Jugal Goswami.
Manoj Saikai, general secretary of the Cotton Collegiate Alumni Association, was remorseful of the present condition of the school while speaking to G Plus. “Few members of the alumni association visited New Delhi in 2009 and submitted a proposal to revive this historic institution to the NITI Aayog. The Centre approved and provided a fund of Rs. 5 crores. We initiated the development process but the actual work was the responsibility of PWD. They started construction but halted the work midway reportedly due to shortage of fund,” he said.
Principal Balay Borah has informed that the PWD officials have resubmitted the earlier proposal for maintenance of the school building on 30th October, after the issue was reported in media extensively. However, the proposal papers are reportedly dated 5th March, 2020. This was done after the government urged for urgent revival of work.
