School Field or Pond—A Dilemma! Students Wading Through Water Up to Their Knees and Waists, Parents Carrying Children

**North 24 Parganas:** The school field is flooded with water. In some places, it is knee-deep, while in others, it reaches the waist. The **Joygram Primary School** in the Joygram area of Basirhat subdivision in North 24 Parganas has virtually become submerged. Continuous rainfall over several days has led to water accumulation in the school premises, causing immense hardship for students and parents.

According to local sources, water accumulates from the school entrance to various parts of the school grounds after the rain. Complaints have been made that in some places, the water is knee-deep, while in others, it reaches the waist. As a result, students have to wade through water to reach school. Parents are worried about the safety of their young children. In many cases, they have to carry their children through the water.

Parents have complained that this problem is not new. **For several years now, the same situation arises every monsoon.** Even a little rain leads to water accumulation in front of the school and in the grounds. They also allege that due to the lack of proper drainage, the water remains stagnant for days.

Local residents claim that they have informed the local panchayat multiple times to solve the problem. However, they allege that no permanent drainage system has been established so far. As a result, the same problem recurs every monsoon.

Parents are practically in distress while sending their children to school. There is also a risk of accidents for young students while wading through water to reach school. Additionally, the prolonged water stagnation raises questions about the school environment and health standards.

Parents demand that a drainage system be established in the school grounds quickly and that the school environment be normalized to ensure safe commuting for students. They seek a **permanent solution** to this long-standing problem.