"In fact, several teachers and students had a narrow escape when the verandah of the school building collapsed during to heavy rains and storm recently," said headmistress Neelam Singh.

Although MLC Yunus Lohia has promised to contribute a sum of Rs 5 lakh from his MLC local area development fund to construct two classrooms, she said 17 other classrooms were in very bad shape and needed urgent repairs.

"Moreover, there is an urgent need to construction of a boundary wall at the rear end of the school compound as it is being encroached by the vested interests," Singh said while adding that doors and windows of the school which are badly damaged also need immediate replacements.

"According to a new development plan chalked out for improving conditions of the school, an amount of at least Rs 50 lakh is required in order to create an ideal atmosphere for teaching here," she said.

"Though there are books aplenty, there is no separate library room to keep these. This besides, the school also lacks a proper laboratory and apparatus and other science practical equipment, which are used occasionally, are currently stored in a dingy room," she said.

With a current teacher-strength of 20, the school, however, does not have a Sanskrit teacher.

"Moreover, the school has no music teacher to help the girl students who opt for music as one of their optional subjects," she said adding if no immediate financial assistance is provided to this oldest school of Phulwarisharif, students will continue to suffer.