Bhimnagar (Nuh): “Human barriers” protecting children and a constant threat of stray cattle — a govt school in Bhimnagar village of Nuh’s Tauru block has transformed into a “shortcut”.

With no boundary wall, no gate, and plenty of stray animals and parked tractors, the school offers a free pass to anyone wanting a quick route home or a place to park their trolley.

In short: Government Primary School doubles up as a public pathway amid encroachments and ownership disputes.

Spread over 1.5 acres, the school has 126 students, four teachers and five classrooms. But the learning atmosphere is constantly under siege.

Teachers say they spend more time guarding children from strays and machines than focusing on lessons.

At lunchtime, staffers are forced to seat children in confined corners, with one teacher even placing a chair as a human barrier to keep kids from wandering near tractors or open areas.

While the school serves as a classroom by day and a public passageway by evening, for parents and teachers, the demand is simple — finish the boundary wall and install a gate.

Meanwhile, children are caught in the middle of an endless tug-of-war between bureaucracy and local muscle. Additional district commissioner Nuh Pradeep Malik says the root of the problem is a dispute over ownership.

The education department, representing the school, asserts the land belongs to them, while the individuals who constructed houses on the site claim ownership.

School principal Ajeet Singh said, “We can’t keep our children safe all the time. During recess, we are more worried about animals or outsiders straying into the premises than about the kids playing. Even partial fencing would help us immensely.”

The lack of fencing has also robbed children of play spaces. During rains, the grounds get waterlogged, leaving students wading through slush. Though the building has seen minor repairs since 2018 — windows, doors, and a kitchen were added — the boundary wall remains a pipedream.

Children, meanwhile, have their own ways of describing the problem.

“Sometimes buffaloes come inside when we are eating and we get scared,” said Reena, a Class 3 student.

Her classmate Imran added, “We want to play outside, but uncle park tractors there. Teachers say ‘go inside and play’, but there is no space.” Another child giggled nervously: “When it rains, we jump like frogs because the ground is all water and mud.”

What makes matters worse is a festering encroachment dispute.

Of the eight local parties that had encroached on the land, four were removed three years ago, but the other four remain.

Some continue to house cattle or even attempt new construction.

Over the years, residents have filed repeated complaints against encroachment.

In 2022 and again in 2023, the district administration appointed duty magistrates and ordered police support for removal drives.

Reports by the Patwari and BDPO confirmed the encroachment using GPS mapping, yet ground reality remains unchanged.

Additional district commissioner Nuh Pradeep Malik said, “The matter is currently proceeding in court. The dispute arose after orders were issued for the demolition of structures, specifically houses, belonging to a party occupying the land. Following these orders, the affected party sought relief from the court, which subsequently granted a stay on any demolition until a final decision is reached.”

Malik said, “If the court rules in favour of the department, action will be taken to demolish the structures, bring the land into the department’s possession and construct the boundary wall. If not, the wall will have to be made on the remaining land.”