The Odisha government's aim to provide a high standard of education to students in an affordable manner through Adarsha Vidyalayas seems to have miserably failed in a particular case.
A model school set up in Uttarkul village under Binjharpur block of Jajpur district paints a story different to the expectations of many.
As per reports, the educational institute was established with class provisions for standard VI to XII. Student enrolment is also continuing at the school for the last two years. However, surprisingly, the government is yet to appoint any teacher at the Vidyalaya.
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With no teacher at the school, the enrolled students have been unable to get any teaching which has pushed their careers into uncertainty.
Local residents of the region have alleged that only two caretakers have been appointed to look after the security and maintenance of the school building while the classrooms at the institute remain locked.
Moreover, there is no proper commutable road to the school. Apart from that, a transformer has been installed for the Vidyalaya however there is no electricity supply to the building. Even the water taps in the school premises are running dry.
"The school is lying defunct and overlooked by the authorities. As the government took away the long-standing playground of BB high school to construct the Adarsha Vidyalaya, we demand that the school should be made functional soon or else we will hit the streets," warned a villager.
"It's been over 4 years the government had erected the structure. Even before the commencement of academic sessions, the building has already started ruining with worn-out wall colours and other damages. Students have taken admissions but are unable to start their classes. Teachers from other schools won't take their classes and as no teacher have been appointed for the school, no online classes are being conducted too," rued a social activist.
Responding to the allegations, district Collector Chakraborty Singh Rathore said, "Currently, the school is not operational due to COVID pandemic. Posting of teachers at the school is on hold due to this reason. The classes will resume as soon as the government takes the final decision. Safeguarding and security of the structure are given high priority. The students won't face any trouble once the school opens."
(Edited By Suryakant Jena)