Students turn up at Bhadrak Collector’s joint grievance meet, demand fulfillment of teacher post

While the Odisha government continues to make tall claims of development of infrastructure, several lapses in the daily functioning of various schools across the state are often alleged. One of the main problems that most schools in the State is facing is the shortage of teachers.

In one such incident, students turned up during Bhadrak Collector’s joint grievance meeting with their single point charter of demand. Initially, everybody, including senior administrative officials and others, was taken aback after seeing students turning up at the grievance meet.

As per reports, the students of Bhatapur Primary School had to visit the grievance cell meeting of the district administration to demand for filling up the teacher’s post. At present there is only one teacher at the school and most of the time the educator is reportedly busy with other basic duties for which classes are getting affected, alleged the students.

“Our teacher is often busy doing official work instead of teaching and organising for our meals; our studies also getting affected. We hope that everything will normalise if another teacher is provided to us,” said Lipsa, a student.

Another student said, "At present, there is only one teacher. He is overburdened with different work including bringing materials for mid-day meal and other official work. He teaches most of the subjects. There are around 60 students in the school."

Akrura Barik, District Education Officer, said, “The guardians had also come over teacher demand. There are two teachers and already steps have been taken in this regard.”