The Odisha government has adopted the 5T initiative with an aim to develop school infrastructure and bring smartness into government-run schools. The much-touted 5T scheme has failed to serve its purpose with the door of a classroom being used as a blackboard for students in a Jajpur-based school.
At a time when the state government claims that it spends huge chunks of money for the sake of all-round development of the education sector, the ground report is quite disturbing.
Hingula Uchha Vidyapith under Hingula Panchayat which has been transformed under the 5T initiative of the government is grappling with infrastructural issues. Of late, a video of a teacher writing questions on door of a classroom in the absence of a blackboard has come to the fore.
According to sources, students from Class I to Class VIII were supposed to appear for the examinations on Monday. A notice had also been issued in this regard. Though students reached school on time to appear for the examination, they were made to sit for some time as school authorities failed to provide them question papers. Later, they were given answer-sheets to write their answers.
Villagers and parents of students rushed to the school after coming to know that students were deprived of question papers. The school authorities pacified the parents, saying question papers would be written on blackboard.
Teachers finally conducted examinations by writing questions on the door of a classroom in the absence of a blackboard.
It is learnt that it’s a regular affair. In the absence of blackboards, the classroom door is used throughout the year.
Educationist RN Panda said, “Jajpur district has produced many scholars, ministers and intellectuals. Besides, Jajpur district plays a pivotal role in the development of Odisha. It is pathetic to find that Hingula Uchha Vidyapith does not have a blackboard for students. Many schools in the state are facing the same fate despite being transformed under the 5T scheme. Government initiatives like 5T are introduced to make people fool and get votes during election.”
Saraswati Panda, Headmistress of the school, said, “The classroom door is not being used as blackboard. We have two smart classrooms. As the school has more than 400 students, we are making adjustments in sitting arrangements. We failed to provide questions to students because we did not receive question papers from Sarva Sikhya Abhiyan. Thus, we are organising examinations on our own.”
“Yesterday, students were supposed to appear for examinations. We came to school after learning that question papers were not issued to students. When we wanted to know the reason behind not giving question papers to students, the school authorities clarified saying the government did not supply question papers. Then the headmistress asked fellow teachers to write questions on blackboard. We were then asked to vacate the school campus without creating noise. Today, students are also appearing for examination in the same way,” said Sanjukta Maharana, school committee chairperson.
Reported by Gulam Gus, OTV