Despite Rs 60,000 Cr Education Budget, Darbhanga School Still Operates Under Peepal Tree

In Bihar’s Darbhanga district, the government school at Basudeopur village in Bahadurpur block has been functioning under a peepal tree for the last 23 years. With no building, no proper classrooms, and limited teaching infrastructure, children here continue their studies sitting on mats or bare ground. This reality exists even as the state boasts an education budget of over ₹60,000 crore in 2024–25. The students endure extreme weather conditions, lack of toilets, and no drinking water—all while dreaming of a better future through education.

I’m writing about this because while we often talk about smart classrooms, digital learning, and educational reforms in India, there are still corners of the country where children don’t even have a roof over their heads while studying. These stories need to be told—not just to highlight administrative failure but to remind us that the right to education also means access to basic facilities. If our system can spend thousands of crores on education, why are children still being taught under trees? This isn’t just a rural problem—it’s a larger issue of accountability, equity, and long-pending promises that affect the most marginalised.

What’s Happening at Basudeopur Middle School

Located in Bahadurpur block of Darbhanga, Basudeopur Middle School was established in 2001. But since its beginning, the school has never had its own building. There are about 140 enrolled students, and yet, not a single classroom exists for them. The classes happen under the open sky—under the shade of a peepal tree—come summer, winter or rain.

Due to the absence of a building, students sit on torn mats or even on bare ground. There’s no electricity, no water supply, and no toilet facility for children or staff. In the monsoon, classes are often cancelled because the ground turns muddy and waterlogged.

A 60,000 Crore Question

The irony is hard to miss. For the financial year 2024–25, the Bihar government has allocated over ₹60,000 crore to the education sector. The promise is to strengthen school infrastructure, improve learning outcomes, and expand digital tools across classrooms. Yet, schools like Basudeopur stand as examples of how the system often forgets the last child in the queue.

When asked, local officials say proposals have been sent for building construction multiple times, but the file keeps getting stuck somewhere in the approval pipeline. Meanwhile, children grow up under trees, and teachers struggle to maintain attendance and discipline without even a blackboard or proper seating.

Voices From the Ground

Here’s what a teacher from the school reportedly shared:
“We are tired of making repeated requests to the block and district offices. Every time we raise the issue, we are told it will be resolved soon. Years have passed, but nothing changes.”

Parents too are frustrated. One parent said, “How can our children compete with students from better schools when they don’t even have a roof? Still, we send them here because there is no other school nearby.”

The Bigger Picture: More Than Just One School

Basudeopur is not an isolated case. There are several such government-run schools in Bihar and across India where basic infrastructure is missing even after years of operation. According to various surveys:

Over 15% of government schools in Bihar lack proper classroom buildings
About 20% do not have functional toilets
Nearly 25% lack electricity connections
Access to clean drinking water is still a problem in several rural blocks

This clearly shows that budget allocations alone are not enough unless there is proper planning, execution, and monitoring.

What Needs to Be Done Immediately

Fast-track construction of school buildings for long-pending institutions like Basudeopur
Set clear deadlines for basic infrastructure like toilets, water and classrooms
Assign accountability to district-level officers for delay in execution
Engage local communities through school development committees to push authorities
Regular monitoring from the education department to track schools still running without infrastructure

Education and Employment Can Transform Society: Dinesh Gundu Rao Highlights the Way Forward

During a recent public address in Mangaluru, Karnataka’s Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao stressed that education and employment are two powerful tools that can shape the future of any society. He pointed out that when people are educated and have meaningful jobs, they can rise above social divisions, poverty, and other long-standing issues. His statement came while addressing students and faculty at a function organised at Srinivas University, where he also touched on the importance of knowledge-driven growth.

I felt the need to write about this because it’s rare to hear such a strong political focus on the link between education, employment and overall societal transformation. We often hear about schemes, budgets and infrastructure, but rarely is the bigger picture discussed—how these two sectors can change the life of a common person. This topic matters to all of us, especially the youth, who are navigating a fast-changing job market while also dealing with rising academic pressure. By writing about this, I hope more people start thinking seriously about how education is not just about degrees, and employment is not just about money—it’s about dignity, stability and progress.

Why Education and Employment Matter Together

Education and employment are often treated as separate issues, but in reality, they go hand-in-hand. Education gives people the ability to think, create and contribute. Employment gives them the opportunity to apply what they know, support their families, and be part of the economy. According to Dinesh Gundu Rao, these two pillars must be developed together if we want a fairer and more productive society.

He stressed that:

Lack of access to education pushes people into poverty.
Unemployment leads to frustration, crime, and brain drain.
A society that fails to create job-ready youth will always remain unequal.

This is why investing in schools, colleges, and job-oriented courses is not just a policy decision—it’s a moral responsibility.

Government’s Role in Creating Equal Opportunities

During the event, Rao mentioned that governments should focus not only on building schools and colleges but also on ensuring the quality of education. He said students from rural areas often struggle because they don’t have the same access to English-medium teaching or computer labs as those in urban areas. This kind of inequality reflects in the job market too, where rural youth get fewer chances.

He also pointed out that:

Many graduates remain unemployed or underemployed because they are not industry-ready.
There is a big gap between what is taught in classrooms and what the job market demands.
Career counselling and vocational training should start at the school level.

According to him, if we want to see real change, we need long-term thinking and serious government commitment—not just one-time policies or election promises.

Importance of Social Harmony for Progress

One of the key messages Rao delivered was about unity. He said education should be a tool to unite people and not divide them. The minister raised concern about how communalism and polarisation are slowly taking attention away from important issues like job creation and educational reform.

He added that:

When youth are unemployed, they are more vulnerable to divisive ideologies.
Education can help people develop critical thinking and tolerance.
A strong education and employment ecosystem reduces dependence on populist politics.

He urged young people to stay informed, ask questions, and focus on real-life issues rather than distractions.