Danishwar Hameed
A devastating fire broke out at the Government Boys’ Middle School in Samnoo, Kulgam, yesterday evening, completely destroying one of the school’s main buildings.
The blaze consumed a structure housing three classrooms, leaving the school with only four rooms to accommodate over 70 students.
With one of the remaining rooms now serving as an office, the school has just three classrooms available for teaching.
This has raised serious concerns about the students’ education, as the cramped conditions make it nearly impossible to conduct regular classes for all eight grades.
“We were already facing challenges due to limited space, and now, with the destruction of the classrooms, it has become even more difficult. The education of our students is at risk, and we urgently need help from the authorities to resolve this situation,” the school’s principal told The Kashmiriyat.
Local authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire. Chief Education Officer (CEO) Mohammed Iqbal confirmed that the building was completely destroyed.
“The principal has filed a report with the local police, and we are investigating the circumstances surrounding the fire. It’s important to note that the building had no electricity supply at the time,” Iqbal said.
He also highlighted that the school lacks proper fencing at the back, which could pose security concerns.
The school’s staff, along with concerned parents, have appealed to the Education Minister and district administration for urgent intervention.
Meanwhile, teachers and students are trying to manage with limited resources, hoping that a solution will be found before the disruption further impacts the students’ education.