Students of the government higher secondary school at Narbal in central Kashmir’s Budgam District always carry a scented handkerchief to their classes. The students told CNS that it has become a necessity for them to escape the foul smell emanating from heaps of garbage that is being dumped by locals adjacent to the school building.Students attend the classes, covering their nose with the handkerchief most of the time. “The stench is unbearable as authorities neither stop people from dumping garbage here nor they do anything to lift it. Besides, lacking space and basic amenities, the toilets in the school are poorly maintained. Students are studying under miserable conditions,” Principal Mehrukh Jan said.She said that there is student strength of 300.“The flood damaged building was renovated and four rooms were made available for the students. These classrooms, that have a capacity to accommodate about 20 to 30 children, have more than 60 students. The severe shortage of space has forced to the teachers to conduct the classes for students in the tin sheds,” she said adding that it has become really difficult for us to impart education in such circumstances,” she said.The unhygienic environment adversely affects the health of students and their studies. Many students suffer from nausea and headache because of the poor sanitary conditions. Some of the parents present inside the school said that they brought the issue to the notice of the senior officials in the education department on several occasions urging them to build additional classrooms and toilets. “But, our pleas fell on deaf ears,” they claim. Despite repeated attempts Director School Education could not be contacted. (CNS)