5T transformation of schools is BJD’s ploy to arrange election funds, alleges BJP

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) targeted the Odisha government and the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) over the transformation of schools under the 5T initiative.

The BJP alleged that there has been massive corruption in the school repair works under the 5T programme.

Citing examples of several cases of slabs falling down from roofs of schools and injuring teachers, BJP leader Bibhu Tarai said, “We have just returned from the High school in Talada panchayat under Kakatpur Assembly Constituency where two teachers were injured after cement plaster from the ceiling fell on their head. We found that no teachers or students are safe despite the government spending public money on the schools.”

The school Tarai was referring to is Padhihary High School at Talada panchayat where two teachers got injured after cement plaster fell down on them.

“Rs 50 lakh was spent for the repair of that school without inviting tender. BJD is using these educational institutes as a means to collect funds for their election campaign,” Tarai alleged.

Responding to the allegations, BJD MLA Dhruva Sahu said, “Oppositions job is to oppose every move of the government. Every person in Odisha will accept that the education system in the State has been transformed. I do not claim that all the problems in education have been solved, but CM Naveen Patnaik has definitely succeeded in transforming it to some extent. Our education system has turned out to be a model for other States to follow.”

Yes, there have been a few complaints here and there. We are addressing them as and when they come,” Sahoo said.

In a similar incident, the students of Khatugaon 5T government school under Sundargarh’s Lahunipada block had a close shave after a portion of concrete fell off the roof of a classroom on July 5.