KOLKATA: The Bengal government has commenced work on rebuilding a primary school for underprivileged children in Bhowanipore, where a young Mamata Banerjee had taught for a while after her father passed away. The state government, which acquired the plot, has also decided to turn the school into an English-medium Higher Secondary institution.
Manmatha Nath Nandan Girls' and Boys' Primary School at 8B Kundu Road was struggling to survive after the land on which it stood was sold by the owner to a local promoter four years ago. The promoter relocated the school to a temporary address - 82A Kasharipara Road - and demolished the building. He promised to let the school return to the old address and function from the ground floor of the proposed new building but the teachers, pupils and their parents were not convinced. Local TMC functionary Bablu Singh, husband of KMC councillor for ward 71 Papia Singh, wrote to the government urging it to intervene. Finally, the CM took up the matter herself and instructed the education department to upgrade the school.
