Odisha students lock up school over teacher shortage; launch sit-in protest

Shortage of teaching staff continues to plague Kangeila Janata Upper Primary School under Kamakhyanagar block in Dhenkanal district. Frustrated over hurdles in their academic progress for a long time, students as well as their guardians locked up the school gate on Monday and launched a sit-in protest, demanding immediate appointment of teachers.

As per reports, only two teachers are imparting teaching to 152 students in three classes, though the school has three teachers. One of the three is additionally looking after the post of CRCC.

Till a few days ago, the school had four teachers while one of them was transferred somewhere else. Students alleged that their studies have been badly affected as two teachers find it difficult to manage things. 

Though they repeatedly apprised the block education officer (BEO) of the staff crunch, nothing has reportedly been done so far, forcing the students and their guardians to start an agitation. The students have been warned to continue their protests till their demands are not met. 

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Laxmipriya Lenka, a student, said, “We have 152 students in class 6th, 7th and  8th, but two teachers have been struggling to look after our studies. As a result, our studies are hampered. We demand the appointment of more teachers in the school for hassle-free teaching.” 

Expressing concerns over the future of their wards, Sasmita Rout, a guardian, lamented, “A headmaster and an assistant teacher are now looking after 152 students. As studies are affected due to teaching staff shortages, students are not faring well in examinations. We appeal to the higher authorities to appoint more teachers for smooth teaching.”
However, no comments have been received from the BEO.