In a surprising turn of events, teachers of Maa Bhairavi High School in Mundigarh under Kandhamal’s Tumudibandha block were seen distributing Matriculation certificates to students on road.
As it turns out, the teachers were forced to distribute certificates beside National Highway – 59 because parents of the students had locked the school protesting demand of money against certificates by then Head Mistress of the school.
As per the reports, the Head Mistress of the school, Sabita Satapathy, allegedly demanded money from students in exchange for certificates. When the parents knew about it, they came with the local Sarpanch, Block chairman and ZP member in a group and staged a sit-in locking the main gate of the school.
Speaking to OTV, a student, Ipriam Nayak, said, “The Head Mistress demanded Rs 100 from us in exchange of our Matric certificates. When we informed this to our parents they locked the school gate in protest.”
Though, Satapathy was nowhere to be seen after the agitation, the teachers were forced to distribute the certificates outside of the school along the highway as the students needed the same for admission in colleges.
The parents said they will not buzz until the Head Mistress is brought to justice for demanding money from the children.
The Sarpanch of Mundigad Gram Panchayat Jamita Mallick said, “The admissions for +2 is in its last legs and if they cannot get their certificates in time, students will lose a year.”
“At a time when the State government is tapping its own back for providing free education to poor, SC/ST students, it is really unfortunate for the Head Mistress to demand money in exchange of certificates which the students have earned by studying,” Mallick said.
Asked about the allegations, teacher Bichitra Chhatia who was distributing certificates in the open, said, “I do not know if the Head Mistress really demanded money. We are distributing certificates here because the parents have locked the school.”
In a related incidence, the teachers of Baikunthapur High School in Balasore’s Bhogarai block are forced to districute Matric certificates over a bridge after the school was flooded with a swelling Subarnarekha river.
As per reports, the school is now marooned in a 4ft deep water making it almost impossible to operate in present conditions.
Speaking to OTV, a teacher said, “The school is under 4ft-deep water. However, we have managed to safely transfer important documents, records and certificates to safe place. As the distribution of certificates is necessary for students to take admission in colleges, we are forced to do the same here at the bridge.”