Uttarakhand – The condition of primary schools in the Tadikhet region of Ranikhet, including Primary School Karchuli and Khushalkot, raises a serious question for the state government: Is this what the future of children in the hills is worth? With broken walls, collapsing roofs and no proper seating arrangements, the reality of rural education presents a disturbing picture that contradicts official claims of development and improvement.
Almora district has 1,196 primary schools, many of which struggle without even the most basic facilities such as toilets and drinking water. During the rainy season, classrooms become unusable because water leaks through the roof, forcing students to sit outside or return home. In Karchuli and Khushalkot, the pathetic infrastructure has caused student numbers to fall sharply. Villages turning deserted is clear evidence that the education system itself is pushing families out of the hills instead of giving them a reason to stay.
Despite repeated announcements and promises, nothing concrete has changed on the ground. Strengthening primary education is claimed to be a priority, yet vacant teaching posts remain unfilled and buildings continue to deteriorate. Residents argue that expectations from the government have reduced to statements and paperwork, while real action remains invisible.
The crisis deepens as many schools operate with only a single teacher responsible for multiple classes simultaneously. When the teacher attends departmental duties or is absent for any reason, education comes to a complete halt. How can students achieve quality learning when even the basic right to a classroom is denied?
Education Officer Harendra Sah stated that proposals for repairs and vacant posts have been forwarded to higher authorities. But parents say that these assurances have been repeated for years, without any visible improvement.
Local resident Trilok Mahra from Khushalkot shares a painful reality: the school was in such dangerous condition that children were afraid to even sit inside the classroom. With cracked walls, broken tin roofing and damaged floors, parents stopped sending their children and eventually migrated to the city — not out of choice, but helplessness.
If this is the state of government schools, how will Uttarakhand stop migration? And more importantly — when will children in rural areas finally receive the education and safety they deserve?
