Bhubaneswar: Even after 72 years of country's Independence, a government primary school right in the Capital city has been grappling with acute vacancy of teachers.
A total of 62 students (Class I to V) are currently studying at the pre-Independence era Basantpur Government Primary School in the outskirts of Bhubaneswar. Ironically, the students are still deprived of education due to absence of teachers in the school.
Though there are two teachers in the school, the parents alleged that one teacher is engaged in some voter identity card related work while the headmaster is on leave since an indefinite period.
Protesting the alleged negligence on the part of the concerned authorities, the parents and local residents gheroed the cluster resource centre coordinator (CRCC), who had gone to a visit to the school yesterday. The protestors also locked up the school gates, reports said.
Due to the absence of the headmaster, the students are yet to receive uniforms. Besides, eggs are not being served to students in the midday meal (MDM) programme.
Secretary of Basantpur Government Primary School Co-ordination Committee, Manoranjan Das alleged, "Apathetic attitude of the government towards the school forced us to stage the demonstration. In the absence of the headmaster, we are not being able to open accounts of students. As a result, students have not got uniforms. Eggs are also not being served to them."
"Unless adequate teachers are posted in the school, we will not open the gates," threatened a resident of Basantpur, Mathura Nanda Das.
On the other, School and Mass Education Minister Samir Ranjan Das assured that appropriate steps will be taken to address the issues plauging the school.
"A discussion about the shortage and surplus teachers in various schools will be held among the DEOs, BEOs and transfer committees, consisting of district collectors and subsequently a decision will be taken in this regard soon," said Das.