A shocking image from Hooghly’s Pandua block has gone viral, showing a teacher conducting class under an umbrella, while students—also using umbrellas—sit through lessons as rain pours into the classroom. The incident took place at the Pachpara Primary School under the Ballon Dhamasin Panchayat in Khanyan. With monsoon rains lashing the area, the lack of a proper roof has turned classrooms into puddles, and yet, classes continue—because there is no other option.

Classrooms Crumbling, Education at Risk

The Pachpara Primary School, which accommodates 68 students up to Class IV, has four classrooms—two of which are makeshift structures with tin roofs. According to local sources and school authorities, the tin roofs have deteriorated significantly, resulting in rainwater seeping through and flooding the rooms. Despite repeated complaints and pleas to the administration, no permanent solution has been provided so far.

“I joined the school in 2023, and the condition of the tin-roofed classrooms was already poor. I’ve informed all concerned authorities. Just yesterday (Thursday), we received two tarpaulins. An estimate for roof repair was sent last year,” said headmaster Jayanta Gupta. However, no repair work has commenced yet, and villagers claim it is now nearly impossible for students to attend classes under such conditions.

Political Uproar Over State of School Infrastructure

The viral image triggered a flurry of reactions on social media, especially from BJP leaders Amit Malviya and Locket Chatterjee, who slammed the West Bengal government’s education infrastructure. “The state of education in Bengal can be gauged by looking at this school in Pandua,” said BJP state committee member Swapan Pal. “Funds allocated by the Centre for education infrastructure are being siphoned off.”

Responding to the criticism, former Pandua Trinamool Congress president Sanjay Ghosh said, “The BJP has no moral ground to speak on such issues. They should focus on the states they govern before commenting on Bengal. We will look into the matter and work with the administration to resolve it.”

CPI(M)’s former MLA from Pandua and a primary school teacher himself, Amzad Hossain, also raised questions regarding the neglect. “There has been no infrastructure development. Education is being destroyed for the sake of vote-bank politics,” he said.

Administration Responds with Temporary Measures

Although Pandua’s BDO Shebonti Biswas declined to comment on camera, she confirmed that an estimate of ₹11 lakh was sent in 2024 for the Pachpara school’s renovation. Two tarpaulins have been provided as a temporary measure, and the administration is monitoring the situation closely.