The dilapidated Noliasahi Project Primary School in Paradip. Telegraph picture

Paradip, Nov. 7: Classroom teaching has stopped at a government-run primary school here as it’s building faces an imminent cave-in threat.

About 400 children are deprived of classroom teaching as the school has been shut down indefinitely because of the dilapidated condition of the building.

“The schools and mass education department has made a mockery of the Right to Education Act. Children are being denied education for the dilapidated structure,” said chairman of the management committee of Noliasahi Project Primary School Kailash Rout.

“The school building is unsafe. A number of cracks have appeared on its walls. We had drawn the attention of the higher authorities. But, it was of no avail,” he said.

“Our children are losing precious study hours as the school has been shut down for indefinite period because of its dilapidated structure,” said Sushama Samal, a student’s guardian.

Purnananda Sethy, another guardian, said: “We are poor people, who live on sea fishing. I want my child to be educated. The school is closed now. I can not afford the luxury of an sending my ward to an English-medium school.”

Raj Kishore Das, a Class-VI student, said: “I am helping my mother in dry fish preparations. My father has gone on sea fishing. Till the school reopens, I will assist my mother in her job.”

School headmaster Tapan Kumar Bindhani said: “Classes have been suspended following instructions of the higher authorities.”

Block education officer Bhimsen Biswal, however, said: “Steps are being taken to repair the school building. Classroom teaching has been stopped temporarily as a precautionary measure. We are trying to build a makeshift shed for resumption of classes at the earliest.”