Bhadrak: Severe shortage of teachers has affected education at Giridhari Panda Uccha Vidyapeeth Secondary School (GPUVSS), the oldest high school located in Bhandaripokhari block of Bhadrak district.
According to sources, there are only four teachers in the school to teach over 450 students from Class 6 to Class 10. The posts of sports teacher and clerk are also lying vacant.
Students alleged that teaching process has adversely affected due to the acute shortage of the teaching staff.
“Due to shortage of teachers, all classes are not being conducted in our school and courses remain incomplete. So we face problem while appearing for the examination,” said Srikant Khatei, a student.
Sai Smruti Mohanty, a Class X student said, “Hindi classes are not conducted as we do not have subject teacher. In our class, there are 161 students. There is a need to create sections as students seating in back benches are unable to hear the voice of the teacher. However, due to teacher shortage it is not being done.”
School committee president Ratan Kumar Rout, said, “I urge the government and local administration to address the issue otherwise we will launch massive protest in coming days.”
The school authorities said though they repeatedly complained to the officials of the education department to address the issue, it yielded no results.
“About 161 students of Class 10 and 151 students of Class 9 have to sit in one class which degrade the quality of education. I have requested the block education officer and district education officer to send teachers from other schools through transfer or deputation. However, no steps have been taken so far,” said Barendra Rout, headmaster of the school.
When asked, district education officer Sangram Sahu said he has intimated the Education department about the issue.
“I am aware of the issue. Not only Giridhari Panda Uccha Vidyapith Secondary School, many schools in the district are facing shortage of teachers. More than 400 teacher posts are lying vacant. I have informed the education department. The issue will be addressed soon,” Sahu said.