Lack of adequate classrooms in Odisha school forces students to study in single room

Acute teachers’ shortage and poor classroom infrastructure have severely affected rural education in Odisha’s Gajapati district. 

Glaring examples are the condition of Mohana block’s Bandhaguda Government Primary School and Pathargada Government Upper Primary School, where students and teachers are struggling under difficult conditions.

Reports reveal that while one school has five teachers for 33 students, another has only two teachers managing Classes I to VIII. This shortage has severely affected teaching quality and classroom management. To make matters worse, a lack of adequate classrooms has forced teachers to combine multiple classes in a single room.

According to sources, school authorities have repeatedly lodged complaints with the Block Education Officer (BEO) and even submitted written grievances to the District Education Officer (DEO). However, despite multiple reminders, the issue remains unresolved.

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“We have only one classroom with around five teachers. We are facing a lot of trouble in teaching the students. Although our students have great potential, we are not able to impart good education to them due to the rush in a single room. Students are in dire need of more classrooms for good education,” informed Krushnachandra Mallick, Headmaster, Bandhaguda Government Primary School.

When contacted, the BEO stated that approval has already been granted for constructing new classrooms, and the matter regarding the shortage of teachers has been reported to higher authorities. He assured that steps are being taken to fill the required teaching posts at the earliest.

This situation highlights the persistent inequality in resource distribution and staffing within government schools, especially in rural areas, where students continue to suffer due to administrative delays and infrastructural neglect.