Primary education: 2,205 schools function from one room

Bhubaneswar: As many as 2,205 primary schools in the State are operating from one room, said School and Mass Education Minister Badri Narayan Patra today.

In reply to queries put forth by members of the State Assembly, Patra said, “A total of 17,000 schools are operating from two rooms.”

He added, “At primary level, 1,66,743 classes are being conducted in 96,300 classrooms. Similarly, 95,986 classrooms are available for 1,22,045 classes at the upper primary level.”

As per the Right to Education Act, there is a huge shortfall of classrooms at primary and upper primary levels, the minister informed, adding recruitment process is on to appoint 14,087 teachers at the primary level.

Members of the House cutting across party lines raised concerns over the poor condition of primary education in the State.

Balasore MLA Jiban Pradip Das alleged that the rationalisation committee set up by the District administration to look into rationality between students and teachers did not pay any heed to the proposals suggested by the legislator.

Birmaharajpur MLA Padmanabha Behera also raised concern and said, “At some places teachers are more in proportion to classrooms.”

He also wanted to know what steps have been taken by the State in case the Centre has cut down funds under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) scheme.