Dilip Kumar

Sundergarh: A visually impaired woman teacher at Bhedavahal Primary School in the district, Tapeswari Panda who was given forced retirement on February 17 has been reinstated by the government.

The development was informed by School and Mass Education Minister Samir Ranjan Dash.

“I had directed a departmental inquiry on media reports that she had turned visually impaired during her tenure as a teacher. A State-level team had visited her and the school as part of its inquiry and submitted a report. Based on its findings, the department has decided to reinstate her as per government provisions," School and Mass Education Minister Samir Ranjan Dash said.

The District Education Officer (DEO), Pramod Kumar Sarangi had recommended premature retirement for the 50-year-old assistant teacher citing her deteriorating health condition.

Sarangi had cited that as her health condition was not permitting to deliver her responsibility as a teacher, her case was recommended for premature retirement.

Panda, who was the only bread earner of her family, was under severe mental stress after receiving the letter from the department.

She was forced to retire six years before her normal retirement when the teacher lost her eyesight following a complex brain surgery.

Even after her operation, she used to attend classes regularly and doing her duty as a teacher.

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