Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Unsafe Himachal School Forces Five Classes Into One Room
A government school in Himachal Pradesh has an unsafe building.
The building is old and was built around 1954-55.
Thirty-three children from five grades now share one safe room.
Two teachers teach the children in shifts.
This means the classes take turns using the room.
School officials say keeping the children safe is the most important thing.
They have asked the education department for help but have received only assurances.
Officials say a new building can be built once money is available, but locals say the land must first be transferred to the Education Department.
Thirty-three students across five grades are studying in one room at Government Primary School, Khairiyan.
The school building in Kangra district was declared unsafe during the monsoon season.
Two teachers are conducting classes in shifts because of the lack of space.
The building, constructed around 1954-55, has deteriorated and only one room is considered safe.
Officials say a new building will be built after funds are provided, while locals seek transfer of the land from the Forest Department.
- Who
- Thirty-three students in five grades, two teachers, school officials, education authorities and local residents.
- What
- Classes are being conducted in shifts in one safe room after the school building was declared unsafe.
- When
- August 20; the building was declared unsafe during the monsoon season.
- Where
- Government Primary School, Khairiyan, in Nurpur subdivision of Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district.
- Why
- The old school building has deteriorated, leaving insufficient safe space; officials also cite funding constraints and a land-ownership issue.
School and government authorities
Panchayat representatives and local residents
Immediate priority
School and government authorities
School authorities and officials say the children’s safety is the primary concern, so classes are being held in the room considered safe.
Panchayat representatives and local residents
Local representatives and residents have raised concerns about the building’s condition and the effect of the cramped arrangement on students.
Building replacement
School and government authorities
The education authorities say the old building will be demolished and a new one constructed once funds are made available.
Panchayat representatives and local residents
Locals say the land-ownership problem must be addressed because the site is recorded under the Forest Department, which they believe is preventing approval of funds for a new building.
- Students affected
- 33 students
- Grades affected
- Five grades
- Teaching arrangement
- Two teachers conduct classes in shifts
- Building age
- Constructed around 1954-55
- Safe space
- One room, with only one window
- Proposed solution
- Demolish the old building and construct a new one once funds are available
- Land issue
- Locals say the land is recorded in the name of the Forest Department rather than the Education Department