~Kenny Jyrwa
Emotional attachment should be on the institution but not on a building: Father Saji
Shillong, Nov 6: The familiar sound of creaking wooden floors, the smell of aged timber, and the laughter of countless generations of students — all these memories are soon to be replaced by the hum of construction machinery and the promise of a new beginning. St. Anthony’s Lower Primary School in Laitumkhrah, an iconic landmark in Shillong’s educational history, will soon undergo a major transformation. The ageing wooden structure, which has cradled the dreams of so many, is set to be replaced with a modern concrete building, due to growing safety concerns for the children who learn there.
This news has stirred deep emotions among alumni, who have fond memories of learning their ABCs within its walls. Although they welcome the modernisation, many past students feel a sense of loss, as the original building holds a significant emotional attachment.
Speaking to Hub News, Father Saji, the Director of Don Bosco Technical School and Rector of St. Anthony’s LP School, reassured former students, saying, “Yes, one is very proud to say, ‘I am an Anthonian.’ But as an Anthonian, one should be emotionally attached to the institution, not to a building.”
Fr. Saji cited safety as the primary reason for the decision, explaining that the deteriorating condition of the wooden structure posed risks to students. With the new building, the school will not only enhance safety but also accommodate more students and provide parking space to alleviate Laitumkhrah’s traffic congestion.
Regarding the safety concerns, Fr. Saji said they are forced to think of a new building because the present building is unsafe for the children. “If something were to happen, the management would be held responsible for not taking precautions,” he cautioned.
When asked about the possibility of relocating the school, he said “it is difficult” as space constraints have left no other option but to build the new structure on the current site.
He informed that the building plans have already received approval from the Meghalaya Urban Development Authority (MUDA), and construction is scheduled to begin in December 2024, with a completion target of two years.
While he acknowledged that the construction period might be challenging for parents, Fr. Saji urged patience from the parents and the students, as it would ultimately benefit everyone.
During construction, students will attend classes in two shifts, utilizing available classrooms and halls.
Fr. Saji also clarified that while the building is old, it is not “123 yr-old” as some newspapers have reported.
Tracing back the history, Father Saji pointed that the Catholic Church came to Shillong in the 1890s and the Salesian of Don Bosco only came in 1922. Father Saji said, if the school was built by the Salesian, how can it be ‘123 years old’.
Taking a tour of the school building, Hub News team observed that the building has deteriorated significantly. The ageing roofing needs serious repairs and most of the classroom walls have been damaged.
Although extensive repairs and renovation could have done the job for the school, ensuring its iconic structure remained, but Fr. Saji explained that the building is ultimately a wooden structure and it would not be able to endure the passage of time well. At the same time, modernisation is a must so that new classrooms can come up which incorporate new ways of teaching and technology, he added.
“Emotional attachment should be on the institution but not on a building,” he reiterated.
Hub News also reached out to parents to understand their concerns. A parent who picked up her son from the school said, “Yes, we are concerned for their safety. So we have to take a decision to go ahead with the plan of the school management in constructing of a new school building.”
Another parent added, “When a heavy vehicle crosses near the school, the wooden structure of the school shakes, so we are deeply worried about the safety of our children.”
An uncle of one of the students said, of course emotional attachment is there but one needs to understand that things have to change for the betterment of everyone and one cannot compromise with the safety of the school children. “Therefore, we are in line with the school decision,” he expressed.
Every parent that Hub News talked to echoed similar sentiments. Safety of the children was their main priority. All agreed that while the change is bittersweet, ensuring safety and modernization is paramount for the future of St. Anthony’s Lower Primary School.
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