NH-59 blocked over shortage of teachers in school

Kandhamal: Residents of Parampanga and Dadakangia panchayats in Kandhamal district today staged a road blockade on National Highway 59 protesting the shortage of teachers in Parampanga Government U.G High school.

According to sources, the protesters burnt tyres during the agitation, of which the school students were also a part.

Following the road blockade, vehicular movement between Rayagada and Kalahandi came to a grinding halt as hundreds of vehicles remained stranded on both sides of the NH.

"There is only one school for the students of two panchayats. Despite repeated reminders teachers are not being recruited in the school that's why we are protesting today," Sarpanch of Parampanga Rajesh Mallick said.

The villagers have alleged that more than 300 students have been enrolled in Parampanga School, while there are only three teachers to attend them.

Reportedly, parents and guardians have been demanding recruitment of new teachers for a long time but they resorted to road blockade as no steps were taken by the authorities towards filling up the vacant posts.