KAPILVASTU: Students of Janata Primary School in Birpur VDC-6 in the district have been all elated for having been able to attend the classes.

But one thing has been pestering them since long: they have to carry straw mats or jute sacks along with the stationery

while going to the school everyday.

According to local guardians, such a situation still persists as they are yet to manage furniture for students although their dream of establishing a school in the area was materialised a year ago. The school, which has been offering classes up till grade two, has now 85 students.

"The students are asked to carry sacks or mats for there are no benches and desks in their school," said Harishchandra Yadav, one of the two teachers. He also added that the students sit on the mat they bring with them as the classrooms are dusty.

"Though it looks a little problematic for the small kids, we are at least occupying the children who otherwise would be busy helping their parents or whiling away their time roaming and playing," he clarified.

Ramesh Harijan, a second grader, said, "I always remember to carry the sack lest I have to sit on the dusty floor.''

The local residents of 30 households, most of whom are illiterate, had constructed a hut for the school building with their efforts.

Ramsurat Yadav, member of the school management committee, said that they were also chipping in for the salary of one of the teachers. Ram Kumar Hairjan, a guardian, said, ''We are in dire need of assistance for the infrastructure development of the school, which has been educating our children.'' The villagers said they were looking forward to some benevolent organisations to manage furniture and solve other financial problems.