5 regional directorates of education go without heads in Odisha, developmental activities affected 

That the five regional directorates of education have been devoid of permanent directors has laid bare the height of the negligence meted out to the education department in Odisha. 

These step-motherly treated directorates are located in Bhubaneswar, Berhampur, Sambalpur, Balasore and Jeypore. A letter from the Higher Education department has confirmed it. 

In the letter, it was clearly mentioned that the director posts at the five directorates are lying vacant. The educationists took exception to the way the regional directorates of education are being neglected. 

“After the transfer of the directors, no fresh appointment is being made. Instead, guest lecturers are managing the scene. In the Higher Education department, it has been a common practice that the service holders are not being given their just promotion which leaves them dejected,” said Subas Patra, an educationist. 

These directorates functioning under the Higher Education department have important roles to play. In case of government and private degree colleges facing any problems, they visit these regional directorates instead of going to Bhubaneswar. 

At the same time, these directorates also take stock of the infrastructure and student strength of the colleges under them. 

In the present time of separation of junior and degree colleges, these directorates also play an important role. 

“As the directors, regional education directors and regional directors haven’t been appointed permanently, it affects the way they are working. In such a situation, they don’t feel the encouragement to discharge their duties. They also hesitate to take any decision,” observed former regional education director, Bhubaneswar, Kamal Prasad Mahapatra.
 

(Reported by Rashmiranjan Das from Balasore and Jagadish Dash from Bhubaneswar, OTV)