Under its School Policy 2020 along the lines of the National Education Policy, the Madhya Pradesh School Education department has come out with a lightweight school bag policy.
The specified weights of school bags for different classes will be displayed on notice boards in schools. The new rule should be followed with immediate effect, it said.
As per the circular, a day in a week will be "bag-less" for students and dedicated to co-curriculum activities.
A government official said Madhya Pradesh has 1.30 lakh schools with a collective strength of 154 lakhs students.
The circular, issued by MP School Education Department deputy secretary Pramod Singh on August 29, directs all the district education officers to randomly visit schools in the next three months for inspection and ensure that school bags weigh according to the new norms.
The new guidelines direct schools to teach subjects such as computer, moral science, general knowledge, sports, physical education, health, and arts without books.
No books other than those prescribed by the state government and the NCERT should be carried in school bags.
With the new policy, students of classes 1 and 2 will have to carry school bags weighing 1.6 kg to 2.2 kg while classes 3, 4 and 5 from 1.7 kg to 2.5 kg. Students of classes 6 and 7 will have to carry school bags weighing 2 to 3 kg, class 8 from 2.5 kg to 4 kg, and classes 9 and 10 from 2.5 kg to 4.5 kg.
Schools should determine the weight of bags according to different streams for classes 11 and 12, it stated.
Informing the same, district Collector, Siddheswar Baliram Bondar said, “Saturday is anyways a half day at work and in schools. Keeping the heavy rains in the district, we have decided to shut down all the schools and anganwadi centres in the district.”
Speaking on the preparedness Bondar said, “We have already identified the low lying areas where water logging could be an issue and have already begun the evacuation process. We have deployed, 2 NDRAF, 2 ODRAF and 1 firefighting team to cater to any exigencies.”
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy rainfall in different parts of Odisha under the influence of the deep depression.
The IMD has issued a ‘red warning’ for heavy rainfall in four Odisha districts- Keonjhar, Bhadrak, Balasore and Mayurbhanj. The alert will remain valid till August 20 (0830 hours).
Squally wind speed reaching 55-65 kmph gusting to 75 kmph is likely to prevail from noon till midnight of today over North Bay of Bengal and along & off Odisha coast, said IMD. The wind speed will gradually decrease becoming 45-55 kmph gusting 65 kmph by tomorrow morning over the same region and 35-45 kmph gusting 55 kmph by evening tomorrow.
An order in this connection was issued by the department which laid out preparedness measures in case of heavy rains and flood like situation in the next few days.
As a preparedness measure, the following instructions are issued:
1. All School buildings of the S&ME Department of affected district should be made available as per requirement of District Administration in case of exigency.
2. The Headmaster of schools may allow using MDM food grains, if necessary, by the District Administration which will be recouped from the SRC and may also allow the school buildings for the purpose of shelter and relief distribution as per requirement.
3. For any support in the above matter, they may contact Director, Secondary Education, Director, Elementary Education and SNO, MDM (PM Poshan).
4. All DEOs, DPCs & BEOs should ensure to keep the official papers and documents safely to avoid any damages due to heavy rainfall.
5. All DEOs, DPCs & BEOs will prepare the damage report and DEO will submit the consolidated report to the respective Director under intimation to the Department immediately after the impending rainfall is over.
6. The DEOs will act as Nodal Officer in the District for S&ME Department-related activities. They should coordinate and cooperate with District Administration for the purpose.
7. The DEOs, DPCs & BEOs will not leave Headquarters without the prior permission of the Collector and District Magistrate. Considering the exigency, it is requested to take all necessary preparedness in consultation with District Administration to mitigate the impact of impending heavy rainfall.
As per the IMD data, a low pressure area is likely to form over North Bay of Bengal around 19 August, 2022 and heavy rainfall with thunderstorm/ lightning is likely to occur over Odisha during 18-20 August, 2022. This rainfall is likely to affect several districts of the State.
The protestors have demanded stern action against the school authorities.
Resentment had been brewing in the village for a long time owing to the activities of the teachers in the school and today it took an ugly turn after the villagers resorted to protest and locked up the school, informed sources.
“We will continue our strike till the errant teacher is transferred from this school,” said the village chief, Duryodhan Pradhan.
“One of our teachers neither teaches well nor comes to the school regularly. He even talks thrash at times and makes obscene gestures. We will not be attending school if the matter is not looked into,” said a student, Rasmita Pradhan.
“I arrived at the school and saw the villagers protesting at the main gate. They said that the gate will only be opened after the Headmaster of the school arrives at the spot,” informed a teacher of the school, Saroj Sethy.
The matter came to fore after the girl students informed their parents about the incident which happened on January 29, leading to a massive outrage.
The headmaster, who stayed on leave after the incident citing health issues, came to the school on Thursday to meet the parents of the girl students. However, a few parents and guardians tonsured the headmaster and thrashed him severely leaving him injured.
After getting information about the incident, Suliapada police reached the spot and rescued the headmaster.
Later, based on a complaint filed by the family members of the girl students, police registered four cases including one under POCSO Act.
"The headmaster was beaten up by some parents and relatives of the girl students for misbehaving with them. Later we reached the spot and rescued him. Further investigation is on," IIC of Suliapada police station Sanjay Kumar Pradhan said.
During the raid, the officials inspected the school and hostel and issued an order to immediately shut down the school. Due to the presence of large number of inmates, school authorities have been given 2 months' time to vacate the hostel.
While the hostel was being run without permission, students staying at the hostel alleged that they are not even getting basic facilities. "Inmates complained that they are not getting proper care at the hostel. Two months' time has been given to the authorities to vacate the school and hostel," district child protection committee official, Sarat Chandra Maharana said.
"We were never asked by the government to get the school and the hostel registered. After the notification on Juvenile Justice Act, they should ask us for registration. We had requested them to give us time till March 31 so that the examinations get over," Executive director of Harbino school, Jyotsna Rani Patra said.
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.
The initiative has been started at Budharaja nodal high school where volunteers are teaching students for free.
“We really liked the way student volunteers taught us and we learnt a lot from it,” a student Laxmikant Jena said.
Student-turned-teacher Rinku Meher said,“At my own will I am here to teach students. It was completely a new experience for me as I got a chance to share my knowledge with students.”
While this initiative is being seen as a major step ahead of the matriculation examinations next year, this programme is currently going on in 40 schools of Maneswar and Dhankauda
“We had arranged a special class for 35 students of Class IX and 43 students of X. These classes will be conducted on off days as well,” Headmaster of Budharaja High School Jashobant Sahu said.
On the other hand, Sambalpur collector Samarth Verma said that the program has received a good response till now.
“We have started the programme using 100 volunteers from IIM, GM University, VSSUT and some other colleges. The response has been pretty well till now,” Verma said.
“I am expecting more volunteers to become a part of this programme,” Verma added.
According to sources, the program will be expanded to other blocks of Sambalpur district as well.
As per reports, the headmaster, Harish Chandra Sahoo asked one of the girls to sweep the class but she walked away without listening to him. Sahoo reportedly lost his temper over such disobedience and began punishing the students. The thrashing was so severe that two girls lost their consciousness, informed sources.
“I heard him tell another girl to sweep the floor but she did not listen. After some time, he came up to me and started hitting me and another girl. He also hit the girl who was earlier asked to sweep the floor,” said one of the injured students.
Block Education Officer, Pramod Kumar Mallick who rushed to the spot said that the incident is being probed. “The headmaster hit only one of the students. It is to be investigated why the other two girls fainted,” said Mallick adding that a probe will be conducted and action will be taken against the guilty.
It may be noted that the State government has banned corporal punishment in schools. Meanwhile the incident has invited sharp criticism from across all sections.
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Former Kendrapara MP Baijayant Panda urged for strict action against the headmaster and to ensure child safety in schools of Odisha."What’s happening in our state? Not at all acceptable! This is highly despicable and speaks volumes of state of education," he tweeted.
Forced to leave his studies midway in Class 11 due to family constraints, Prakash Rao understands the importance of education and that is why he has been running a primary school called ‘Asha o Aswasana’ for underprivileged children from many slums in nearby areas. Most of what he earns from his tea stall in Buxi Bazar, Rao spends towards the school.
Around 75 students are studying here and they are provided with an afternoon meal along with proper health facilities. The main motive behind this is to ensure proper education and nutrition for many slum children.
Speaking to odishatv.in, Rao expressed, “I cannot do big things and donate huge amount of money for charity but at least I can bring a change by imparting education to the underprivileged children.”
The school that started with only one room in his home has grown up now because of some help from a few generous people in the city. There is one room in his school which is used as classroom along with a small adjacent room as his office and kitchen and the adjacent area is used as a small play school for nursery kids now.
“I am associated with him for last 20 years. His step of running a school for the underprivileged students from his little earning from the tea stall is really commendable,” says another social worker Radheshyam Das.
Rao's school has Classes I to III and after completing primary schooling here, students are sent to other schools for higher studies. Eight girls from his school have passed matriculation and are now in college.
A student from the school Renuka said, “I started my education from this school and Prakash Rao is my first Guru. I am really thankful to him. I didn’t have money to go to college in an auto rickshaw, so Sir has bought me a bi-cycle.“
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Asked about the opposition faced from the parents, Rao replied, “In the beginning days, people usually complained about the need of education for their children, they questioned me but I stayed firm with my decision despite their protest”.
Apart from the school, Rao has been a regular blood donor at the SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack. He has been donating blood since last 43 years. He also provides boiled milk and water for free to the patients coming to SCB Medical. He has even decided to donate his skeleton to the anatomy department of SCB medical College for the study of future medical students.
“Government has provided me an office on the SCB campus and there I provide facilities to boil water and milk for attendants of patients,” informed Prakash Rao.
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His tea stall is also unique in many ways. It is known for a wide variety of teas including sugar free and lemon tea.
“I stay in Bengaluru but whenever I come to Cuttack, I come here to have tea and love the way he serves tea in a clean environment. He is a very nice person and I feel proud to come here to have tea from a social worker,” said one of his customers Rajesh Kumar Das.
https://youtu.be/htUyUNmnyug
Meena, during his visit to the school went around different classrooms, interacted with the students and also took a class. The bureaucrat was accompanied by Sundergarh sub-divisional officer, district education officer Dhruba Charan Behera and Additional SP Rabinarayan Barik.
"The collector had come to inspect the quality of food being served to the students. It was a rare opportunity for the students and they were left inspired after having the meal along with the district collector. This will also send a message across other schools so that they will be careful while cooking food," Behera said.
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Earlier this month, Collector of Puri, Aravind Agarwal taught school children at Satyavadi Vana Vidyalaya in Sakshigopal. The collector had urged the school authorities to keep the school premises green and clean.
During his visit to the school, Agarwal had entered a classroom and taught ‘Ramayana’ to the students.
The incident took place outside the school premises when the children were plucking black plums from a tree during lunch break.
According to sources, one of the walls of a dilapidated house near the school collapsed following which one student identified as Manasi Malik died while 3 others suffered serious injuries. The injured have been shifted to SCB Medical College & Hospital in Cuttack.
“He was plucking black plums from the tree during lunch when the wall collapsed,” mother of one of the injured children, Kaushalya Malik, said.
Some locals alleged that teachers allow the children to play outside saying that there is lack of space inside the school premises.
“We had raised objection on children playing outside the school but one of the teacher said we don’t have enough space inside the school premises,” a local resident, Nityanand Das said.
Irate over the mishap, locals locked the main gate of the school thereby detaining the teachers. Later, the headmaster of the school was reportedly suspended for negligence by the block education officer.
Speaking on the issue, Bhadrak collector said that the State government will bear all the medical expenses of the injured school children.
“3 children have been admitted to the hospital and CDMO has also been informed regarding the incident. Government will take care of all the medical expenses of the children. After an investigation, we will get to know who is responsible for the tragedy,” Bhadrak Collector, Gyan Das said.
As per reports, the incident took place when a student while playing, fell off a toilet building terrace and broke his hand.
The boy, writhing in pain was taken to his house by a few school teachers who despite finding that his parents were away left him alone to fend for himself.
A few hours after, home after getting the news from their neighbours, parents of the boy rushed home and took him to the nearest hospital.
"We were not at the home when the teachers brought our son home. Instead of taking him to the hospital, they left him here all alone. How could they be so insensitive?" mother of the injured boy asked.
Headmaster of the school Lekha Mishra refuted the allegations saying that it was the boy who told them that his sister would be present at home.
"The incident took place before 9:30 am in the morning and he informed that his sister would be at home. So one of our teachers drove him on his bike and dropped him home," said Mishra.
Following the uproar over the incident, the BEO (Block Education Officer) has shot off a letter to the DEO(District Education Officer) to freeze salaries of the accused teachers and suspend them .
According to sources, during his visit to the school, Agarwal entered a classroom and started teaching 'Ramayana' to the students.
“We really felt good about the collector's visit and liked the way he taught us. It was a different experience altogether," a student Om Prakash Pati said.
While urging the school authorities to keep the school premises green and clean Agarwal said,"The school authorities need to focus more on cleanliness and plant more trees inside the campus. Moreover, the school toilets are currently not in a usable condition which has to be fixed. We also interacted with the children."
“The collector focussed on cleanliness during his visit and directed us to repair the broken asbestos roofs. We have made all arrangements to repair them," Headmistress of Satyavadi Vana Vidyalaya, Bhabam Pradhan said.
Later, Agarwal and the local MLA visited different departments of the school. The collector directed for repair of classrooms and urged the school authorities to keep the premises of the school clean.
According to sources, 353 students of four project schools and an upper primary school at Konabira, Raghupalli, Sanabahali and Bodapadar have stopped going to their respective schools as these will be inundated due to the project.
Doli, a Class II student of the only school in Raghupalli village will not be able to continue her school as it is now closed because of the Irrigation Project.
"There is a school in another village but communication is difficult. I am sending her to her maternal uncle so that she can be enrolled into a school and continue her studies," Doli's mother, Prabhasini Patel.
54 other children of Raghupalli village have also stopped going to school and can be seen whiling away their time in the village lanes.
"I don't have any idea where to send my kid for studies. Our relatives are reluctant to keep him with them," Hira Patel, a parent.
Meanwhile the locals have refused to budge unless they are provided adequate compensation.
“We will neither leave the village nor allow the schools to shut down unless the government provides us alternatives and releases our compensation. We will resort to strike if our demands are not met," Ujwal Patel, a resident of Raghupalli village said.
"The future of these 353 students hangs in uncertainty. We will never allow the schools to be closed unless the administration compensates and provides us with alternatives to educate these children," threatened Nilakantha Pradhan, a local leader.
Meanwhile, Nuapada District Education Officer, Lakshman Bhoi informed, “We will discuss the matter with the district administration and have already written to State Government regarding the letter of Irrigation Department to close the schools so that alternative arrangements can be ensured.”
Puri: With a message to save trees and promote plantation, Kolkata resident, Bipin Chandra Pal arrived in Puri today as a part of his all-India tour on bicycle.
While addressing school students, Pal said that there is a need that every individual should plant a tree.
Speaking to OTV, Pal said, "Every individual should plant a tree and it should be named after parents and teachers so that the thought of cutting them will never come to mind," said Pal.
"Bipin has been travelling across the country to spread his message of how tree plantation will help in preventing natural disasters not only in India but globally," educationist, Pramod Acharya said.
Pal started his tour on July 10 last year and has covered 13,000 kilometres across 10 states till now. He has spread his awareness messages in 8000 schools, informed sources.
After leaving Odisha, Pal will cover Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana and will finally return to Kolkata.
Rayagada: Indian Metals & Ferro Alloys Ltd (IMFA) officials on Tuesday stated that 'outsiders' are instigating locals and threatening their employees to join agitation at its plant in Therubali of Rayagada district.
The plant employees and their families are now in a state of worry and scared as agitators have locked up the nearby school and hospital.
"Till now we have not received any memorandum from the agitators and under such circumstances, been forced to close the unit. Unfortunately, the school and hospital outside the campus have been closed," said IMFA's corporate affairs vice president and legal head, Ashok Behera.
"Had it been about the nearby people, then locals would have been there in the protests. We don't understand from where these protestors have come and for whose interests they are launching a stir," said contract labourer, Nirmal Kantha.
The production at the plant has been hit following the ongoing strike which entered its second day today.
The agitators have locked all the gates of the plant and are staging demonstration in front of the main gate.
Tribals of seven panchayats have now joined the ongoing agitation by youths who are staging a demonstration over fulfilment of a 9-point charter of demands which include basic amenities and jobs and training to unemployed youths.
Tribal leader Jitu Jakasika has also been seen at the dharna spot.
"Till the time our 8-9 demands are not met, the collector and senior officials of IMFA come here and hold discussions with us, we will not withdraw our protests," said Jitu Jakasika.
The agitators are also demanding construction of roads, development of the region, compensation to the displaced families and regularization of jobs of contractual employees.
As the demonstrators have also locked a nearby school and ITI, it has created problems for others, informed sources.
Adequate measures have been undertaken by police to maintain law and order keeping in view the ongoing agitation, added sources.
The deluge has led to undeclared holidays for the students as well as teachers in many parts of the district.
Many approach roads were inundated due to flood in Subarnarekha river. Villages were submerged forcing people to take shelter on high-lying places. The study materials remained under water, said a local guardian.
“Our school has been submerged by the flood. Our school bags and books were swept away as our houses were inundated," student of Gabagaan village Haladhar Dandapata said.
On the other hand, some students have been stranded in a residential school in Bhograi block as the school was marooned.
"As the school and hostel were marooned, we could not allow the students to go to outside" said Anita Giri, a teacher of the residential school.
Not only in Bhograi block, but also schools in Baliapal of the district remain closed during flood time. As many as 15 schools remain closed for months. The teachers generally do extra classes to recover the losses.
"We will have to conduct extra classes to compensate the losses of the students due to flood," said Sapan Kumar Nanda, headmaster of a local school in Baliapal.
The Headmaster of the school informed about the incident to the family members of the girl.
However, after the girl was shifted to Phulbani hospital, the doctors declared her of being brought dead. Police has started an on the spot investigation.
Talking to media persons, the father of the girl said, "Police will investigate on the circumstances in which my daughter died. What is the reason behind her death, who killed her and what punishment will the person get will be decided by the police."
Two of the injured students have been admitted to Nayagarh district headquarters hospital while the girl has been treated at the local health centre.
A student had brought the battery inside his bag. The battery went off suddenly when he connected a bulb with the unused battery. The explosion created heavy noise in the class room, headmaster Biranchi Nayak said.
"We were unaware that a student kept a discarded mobile battery inside his bag. Three students were playing with it at the back side of the class room. It suddenly went off injuring the trio", Nayak added.
Two boys sustained injuries on hand and eyes and were admitted to Nayagarh district headquarters hospital.
Hand of my nephew (elder brother's son) sustained burn injuries while my son can't open his eye after the explosion. Another girl, who sustained minor injuries, is getting treated at Godipada health centre", Ajay Pradhan, father of an injured kid said at the district headquarters hospital.
Pradhan, however, has not held any staff responsible for the incident.
The School and Mass Education department has started the groundwork to execute the State government’s plan on introduction of the life history in the school syllabus from the ensuing academic year.
Talking to newsmen School and Mass Education Minister Debi Prasad Mishra said, “The department has been asked to take a decision after examining a proposal on inclusion of life history of heroes of freedom struggle including Netaji and Biju Babu.”
Mishra added, “Definitely focus in the syllabus chapter will be on Biju Babu for his contribution to the Quit India Movement.”
Sources said starting from childhood of Biju Babu to academic career, contribution in freedom struggle, political ups and lows, aviation pilot career and contribution towards the State’s growth will be featured in the course syllabus.
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Commenting on the development Dr Das Benhur, eminent children's litterateur, said, “I have accepted an offer to prepare a history book on Biju Babu for reading of children.”
Asked about the contour of the subject, Benhur said, “The decision lies with the State government. However, the chapter is likely to be a non-detailed study or supplementary reading material.”
Apart from Biju Babu, life histories of other freedom fighters such as Subhash Bose, Veer Surendra Sai and Laxman Naik will be mentioned in the course syllabus which will be brought out by the State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERT).
Cuttack: Proving that meagre earnings don't come in the way of helping out the needy if one has the intent, D Prakash Rao, a chaiwalla in the Millennium City, has been providing free education to underprivileged children in the slums of the city.
Rao, who owns a tea-stall in Buxi Bazaar area, runs a school- Asha Aswasana- of his own, making sure that no slum children of the locality would remain illiterate.
“Despite having earned a scholarship, I had to quit my studies as my father, who was a war veteran of World War-II, never encouraged me to go to school saying that education would yield no results. But, as I realise the value of education, I started teaching the children of my locality and tried to bring them into the main stream,” said Rao.
He said he had started the school having two rooms at his house way back in 2000. “Today the school has 70 students, who are imparted education up to Standard-III. Post the completion of standard III, I register their name in government schools,” Rao added.
Asked about how he runs the school with a small income from his tea shop, which is his only source of income, Rao said, “On an average I earn Rs 600 a day. I save half of my earning for the school and spend the rest for my family.”
“But, it is not easy to manage monthly expenses which are close to Rs 15,000 including the salary of five teachers. I used to offer milk and biscuits to the students of my school. Now, I am giving them rice and dalma in the lunch,” Rao informed.
“As the students of the school belong to poor family and their parents are mostly domestic help or rickshaw pullers, they are deprived of nutritional food. I have requested the district administration several times to provide lunch to these students under Aahar Scheme, but they turned downmy request saying that my school is not a government-aided school,” Rao stated.
“If the government can launch many schemes for the betterment of these underprivileged children, then why it is reluctant to provide meal to these children who in fact need proper nutrition? If a chaiwalla can feed them, why can’t the government?” he asked.
“There are many samaritan and organisations who have lent their support for the nobel cause of educating these children. Even some foreign nationals have lent their support to provide computer education to these children for whom computer was a dream”, Rao explained.
“Two foreign nationals- Crystal from USA and Evalina from Canada, who are on a visit to the city, are imparting computer education to the children on my school,” Rao revealed.
[caption id="attachment_166879" align="alignnone" width="1050"] Pic: Rashmi Ranjan Mohanty[/caption]
Sharing her experience as a teacher of the school, Evalina said, “I am teaching here since last six months. The children are very smart and learning things very quickly. I am in love with this place and would love to come here again and again to teach these students.”
Echoing similar views, Crystal said, “I am associated with these children since last two months and developed a good affection with them. I am really lucky that I got an opportunity to come here and helped them in their education.”
Besides, running the school, Rao is also committed to another major social service: blood donation.
Till date, he has donated 209 units of blood and has the distinction being the highest individual blood donor in Asia. Moreover, he has an emergency blood donor’s squad who are always ready to help anyone at any point of time round the clock.
[caption id="attachment_166881" align="alignnone" width="1050"] Pic: Rashmi Ranjan Mohanty[/caption]
A recipient of many awards and accolades at the state and national level, Rao is all set to add another feather to his cap as he has been selected for the prestigious Annie Besant Award in recognition of his yeoman service to the society.
The closure would continue to take effect in districts including Kathmandu and the worst-hit Gorkha district, Xinhua reported cited local news paper.
Infrastructures of schools and colleges need technical inspection, Hari Lamsal, education ministry spokesperson said.
The educational institutions were shut earlier for five days following the April 25 devastating earthquake.
The closure has been extended mainly for the security of students, the spokesperson was quoted as saying.
It's a dangerous journey for the children of Burudia village under Rajkanika tehsil as threat of crocodile pouncing upon them is quite imminent.
The village does not have a school, with the nearest one located at Tarasa village, more than a kilometre from Burudia. To reach the school, children wade through the creek that separates the two villages.
"The creek is a narrow one and it spills during rainy season. The creek is also regarded as a habitation corridor of salt-water crocodiles. As there is no school in our village, we are forced to send children to the school in the neighbouring village. Children traverse through the river barrier to attend classroom teaching. However guardians and parents accompany them to ensure their safety," said a local, Ram Chandra Mohanty.
"Parents prefer safety of their wards and stop them from going to school when the tides are high and the creek cannot be crossed," civil society group member, Subhransu Sutar, said.
Sarpanch of Tarasa gram panchayat, Sanjukta Nayak, said a proposal for construction of a mini-bridge over the creek has been approved at the panchayat body meeting and financial allocation is awaited for the construction work to resume.
"Construction of bridge is being taken up on a priority basis. Children are subjected to great hardship as they are made to wade through the water-body. We are concerned about their safety. Till the permanent structure comes up, a temporary bamboo bridge is being built very shortly," Block Development Officer, Rajkanika, Prasant Kumar Rout, said.
Children trek over a virtual death trap as there is possibility of crocodiles straying into water-body from Kharasrota river.
"We pray to God for children's safety as they leave for school. We are left with no other option. It is becoming a risky ritual to wade through croc-infested creek," rued a guardian, Premanand Sahu.
The Central Board of Secondary Education issued an order on Tuesday cancelling the affiliation of GRD World School, Bhauwala, for not giving a satisfactory reply to a show cause notice served to it by the regional office of the board in the wake of the incident, Regional Officer CBSE, Dehradun, Ranvir Singh said.
The action follows a recommendation to this effect by the state government after the chief education officer visited the school premises following the incident and found it guilty of violating various norms, including non-installation of CCTV cameras and non-deployment of enough security staff on the campus, he said.
It is for the first time that such action has been taken against any educational institution in the state
Singh, however, said guardians of students already enrolled in the school have nothing to fear as they will be taken care of by the CBSE. As per the order, there will be no fresh admissions in class IX-XII at GRD World school.
Nine people, including four students of the same school, accused of perpetrating the crime on the girl and five school officials and employees, including its director and principal, have already been apprehended in connection with the case.
The incident took place on August 14 and came to light on September 16 despite the school authorities knowing about it.
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The girl, a student of class X, who lived in the school hostel along with her elder sister, first shared her ordeal with her. The elder sister informed the school authorities who instead of approaching the police allegedly tried to hush it up by threatening to throw the two sisters out of the school if they disclosed it to anyone.
Keeping mum for sometime, the elder sister, however, confided it to a relative who approached the police.
"The CBSE action which is based on a recommendation to this effect by the state government sets a healthy precedent," Education Minister Arvind Pandey said
"Worksite schools" have been opened to allow these children, whose parents work at the kilns, to continue their education.
Under this unique initiative, the Rachakonda Police Commissionerate in Telangana has opened two worksite schools. Two more are in the pipeline, official said.
On January 20, the first of these schools was started in Peddakondur village in Yadadri Bhongir district. It has a total of 182 children, aged 5-12 years, all belonging to Odisha, studying from Class I to V.
A second school was started on January 30 at Ravirala village and it now has over 500 children.
Rachakonda Police Commissioner Mahesh M Bhagwat said there were plans to open two more schools, one at Keesara in Medchal district and another one in Bommala Ramaram mandal of Yadadri.
A notable feature of these schools is that the medium of instruction is Odia so that these children, from neighbouring Odisha, can be taught in a language they are familiar with. The Telangana State Brick Kiln Owners Association has appointed Odia teachers in these schools and is also paying their salaries.
"Imparting education in their mother tongue will help the children continue with their studies once they are back in their native Odisha. Once the children return to Odisha, their education will be continued there in partnership with the Odisha government," Bhagwat explained.
Calling it a first-of-its-kind initiative, Bhagwat said that these schools would save vulnerable children from becoming child labourers, adding that it could be replicated in other parts of the country.
He added that such schools had become a self sustainable partnership with brick kiln owners lending a helping hand as well as the district administration chipping in by providing rice at Rs 1 per kilogram for mid-day meals for the children.
Bhagwat said that under "Operation Smile Three" in 2017, the Rachakonda Police rescued 804 children from forced labour.
"Last year, at Peddakondur village of Chottupal and Chikatimamidi village of Bommala Ramaram mandal, 350 child labourers from Odisha were rescued from brick kilns by Rachakonda Police. They underwent 5 months at the worksite school, and this was appreciated by Nobel laureate Kailas Satyarthiji as well," he said.
He added that with cases against brick kiln owners having an impact, many chose to bring migrant children to these work-site schools than employ them at their kilns.
Bhagwat said that once all the four schools are open, it will have as many 1,000 rescued children.
"The steel major will spend Rs 4 crore each for the construction of model schools besides spending Rs 33 lakh each for other logistics required for the instutitions," school and mass education minister Debi Prasad Mishra said.
As per the MoU signed between the two, Tata Steel will set up model schools in Jajpur (9), Cuttack (8), Keonjhar and Sundergarh (3 each), Ganjam (5) and one each in Dhenkanal and Nayagarh district.
Facilitating the process, the state government would be identifying minimum 5 acres of suitable and encumbrance free land in the respective blocks and hand over the same to Tata Steel for construction of the schools.
The steel major would start construction work of the school buildings as per the drawings provided by the state government.
"Tata Steel would also provide necessary furniture and accompanying infrastructure for the schools. Upon completion of the construction work, the state government would take charge for the operations and maintenance of the schools including the infrastructure," a release issued by Tata Steel said.
Sunil Bhaskaran of Tata Steel said that the company is committed for inclusive growth of the society and will take many more such initiatives in the state in the coming days.
Meanwhile, Mishra said the state government has made 100 such model schools operational in 100 different blocks in the 2016-17 academic year while construction work was on progress for 62 other Adarsh Vidyalaya.
The minister said the state owner Odisha Mining Corporation would also take the responsibility of building 25 such model schools in educationally backward districts. The state govenrment has earmarked spending of Rs 2981 crore for model schools in a period of five years, the minister said.
"This is a tribute to Biswakabi Rabindranath Tagore who had donated land and set up a school at Pandua village under Ersama block of Jagatinghpur district," School and Mass Education Minister Debi Prasad Mishra said.
The nondescript Pandua village that still has the rickety ancestral house of the poet, had no education facility when Tagore himself took steps to build a school for the education of villagers.
There were at least 53 villages in Jagatsinghpur district which was part of the erstwhile zamindari estate of the Tagore family.
The house was one of Tagore's most preferred retreats and it was here where the poet had penned his dance drama "Chitrangada," Mishra said.
Locals have named the road that connects the village with the highway as 'Rabindra Sarani'.
The people of Pandua village feel proud as Tagore himself spent time there, Mishra said, adding steps would be taken to preserve his legacy in Jagatsinghpur district. PTI AAM SKN MM CPS
As the temperature is likely to hover around 42 degrees Celsius in most places in the next few days, the summer vacation in the schools will start from tomorrow, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) P K Mohapatra said.
In view of the heat wave prevailing across the state, the schools would reopen after Raja festival as usual, he said.
The state government had earlier announced closure of schools, both government-run and private ones, till April 20 and subsequently decided to extend the school holidays till April 26 in view of the weather condition.
As summer vacation was advanced, the loss in terms of study days because of the long holidays would be compensated by conducting extra classes after Raja festival, the SRC said.
There would be no classes but the schools can conduct the examinations in the morning and evening hours, the SRC said.
The heat wave continued unabated with Titlagarh in Bolangir district becoming the hottest place in the country yesterday by recording 48.5 degrees Celsius which was a record for this Western Odisha town in April.
The mercury remained above 44 degrees Celsius in as many as eight places in the state, while in 17 towns it soared above 40 degrees Celsius yesterday.
Dressed in para-military Frontier Corps uniforms, the six Arabic-speaking terrorists entered the Army Public School on Warsak Road around 10 AM (local time) and went from classroom to classroom shooting innocent children in one of the most gruesome terror attacks anywhere.
Before the Taliban attackers were eliminated tonight, they had killed nearly 140 people, nearly all of them students except a female school teacher and a watchman.
The death toll is likely to go up given the huge number of injured, some of them critically, senior officials in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province said.
Earlier, reports had put the death toll at 160 but later it was scaled down.
During the over eight-hour standoff, the terrorists also took several hostages, including teachers and the principal of the school, and used them as human shield during the assault.
All six militants died in the attack with four of them blowing themselves up.
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility for the attack, the bloodiest in recent years since the 2008 suicide bombing in Karachi in which 150 people were killed.
The Taliban spokesman claimed that its 6 suicide bombers attacked the army school, saying it was a revenge for the military's operation against militants in the North Waziristan tribal area close to Peshawar.
"We want them to feel our pain," the spokesman said.
World leaders united in condemning the attack as Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif termed it a "national tragedy" and chaired a security meeting in Peshawar where he was briefed about the attack and the operation.
Sharif reiterated that military operation 'Zarb-e-Azab' to flush out terrorists from the country's tribal belt will continue.
"It's a sheer act of cowardice...the country should unite to combat terrorism," he added.
A three-day nationwide mourning has been announced in Pakistan. Army Chief General Raheel Sharif also reached Peshawar to monitor the situation.
One rescued student told reporters that the attackers had long beards and they were wearing 'shalwar kamiz'. He said they were speaking Arabic and looked like foreigners.
One of such glaring is the Gendupadar Primary School under Binika block in Sonepur district where school uniforms are yet to be distributed to students. As a result, the students are forced to wear torn uniforms while some are even coming to schools in civil dress.
Sources said thousands of students from Class I to VIII of 132 schools in the block are yet to get uniforms. This has now triggered resentment among the students and their parents.
A student of Gendupadar Primary School, Kailash Gadua said, “The session is about to end and we have not get uniforms. We are bound to wear torn dress."
“They used to get uniforms every year in August but they are yet to receive uniforms this year. As a result, they go to school in civil dress. It would be good if steps are taken to ensure uniforms are provided to students at the earliest,” said a parent, Achyut Bibhar.
On the other hand, headmaster of Gendupadar Primary School, Sudam Suna informed, "We have sent a report to the concerned authorities regarding the sanction of funds for the uniforms. But the funds have not been granted for some unknown reasons."
"While many schools have been granted funds for the uniforms, some schools which have their bank accounts in Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) or Gramin banks have some issues due to which funds are yet to be deposited. We will appraise the matter to the Collector and higher authorities," assured Sashi Bhusan Sethi, Block Development Officer (BDO) of Binika.
Similarly, around 44 students of Class VI and VII of Balangi M.E School under Madhuban in Baripada of Mayurbhanj district are yet to get school uniforms this year. As the school is government-aided, funds have not been allocated for the uniforms yet, sources said.
A student of the school said, "We only have one uniform to wear. We wash it after going home and wear the same the next day."
"Our school is aided and that is why the students are not getting uniforms. Last year, uniforms were distributed but funds are yet to be allocated for the uniforms," appealed a teacher at the school, Kanunbala Dash.
Not only students but also patients have to be carried on shoulders through the waters to nearby hospital amid lack of a bridge on the river. Locals alleged that many children and villagers have been swept away by the swelling river during the rainy season. Despite repeated appeals, the local administration is yet to take any measures to construct a bridge, claimed villagers.
“The river often gets flooded after a brief spell of rain due to which we mostly fail to attend classes. Crossing the river by carrying the cycle is quite difficult. I request the government to construct a bridge so that we can go to school regularly,” said a student Pratima Behera.
“We have to face a lot of difficulties due to the lack of a bridge. Even patients have to be carried on shoulders to cross the river. The government has utterly failed to provide basic facilities,” a resident of Kalabudhia village, Satyaban Mahanta said.
Meanwhile, Sub-Collector Bishnuprasad Acharya said “I will propose the Roads and Work (R&W) Department officials to construct a bridge under the Biju Setu Yojana. As there is a need for a big bridge, a large amount of fund is required."
On the other hand, villagers have threatened to boycott the upcoming elections if their demands are not fulfilled at the earliest.
Those kidnapped last night were identified as school in-charge Sukanta Satapathy and librarian Chinmayee Parida of Auro Mira Vidya Mandir situated at Kechla, about 70 km from here, across Kolab reservoir under Koraput block.
The school is run by Auro Mira Service Society, New Delhi.
Sources said a group of eight armed persons, including three women, reached the school last night and forcibly took away Satapathy and Parida.
Before leaving, the miscreants told the staff that they were kidnapping the two as their higher authorities did not pay any attention to their demand.
A few months back a letter was found pasted at the school gate stating that Maoists had demanded Rs 50 lakh from the school authorities. However, the letter was found to be a fake Maoist letter, sources said.
Preliminary inquiry does not show any Maoist link in the abduction. The modus operandi of the crime is different from that of Maoists. We suspect it to be the handiwork of some miscreants. Investigation is on and details are awaited, said SP (Koraput) Awinash Kumar.
While the prime minister, Binod Hontal of Class VII, is in overall charge, other 'ministers' look after sanitation, cleanliness, hygiene and other matters in a novel experiment in school running.
Thus, Manjula Mudagadia, a 13-year-old student, sees to it that toilets remain clean in her capacity as the "health and sanitation minister".
"Food minister" Budu Pangi ensures that the kitchen is kept hygienic and the students are served food properly.
The ministers are part of a five-member school 'cabinet' which was formed in July, 2013. They were elected by students for a period of two years.
The idea to involve students in the upkeep of the school did not come randomly. It was mooted by Odisha government and one teacher from each school underwent a four-day training schedule as a first step towards implementing it. .
Having decided to become a journalist, I was in the process of going through the usual routine of checking out and applying for the few good journalism schools that existed in the country at the time (though there was the option of joining the journalism course on offer at the Berhampur University, somehow I was not particularly excited about it) when an old friend of my father dropped in at our place. My father, who was not very happy about my decision to become a journalist, inevitably told his friend, an Assistant Editor at the venerable The Statesman at the time (sometime in the mid-`1980s), about my desire to choose journalism as a profession and requested him to ‘counsel’ me.
“Why do you want to become a journalist when there are so many jobs you can take up?” the elderly Bengali gentleman fired his first question. I gave my reasons, trying to sound as earnest as I possibly could. “Do you even know how much journalists are paid? A journalist in a vernacular daily gets less than what a peon in a government office does,” continued the man. And he continued in that vein for quite some time till it appeared to me that he was determined to talk me out of my ‘romantic’ obsession with journalism. I must confess I was a little perplexed at this intensive grilling. Here was a top journalist, I wondered, who did not have anything positive to say about the profession he had spent a lifetime in! It was only later that I realized it was his way of testing out whether my love for journalism was serious or just ‘infatuation’.
Perhaps convinced after a while that my decision to become a journalist was more than just infantile infatuation, he next asked me how I planned to go about it. I told him about my plans to do a course in journalism in some top institute of the country. That set off a fresh round of grilling. “When did you finish your post graduation?” he asked. “Two years back.” “You have already wasted two years. In fact, you didn’t even need to do a PG if you wanted to become a journalist. A simple graduation would have been good enough. So you have actually wasted four full years already. Now you will waste another year or two studying journalism. Let me tell you something. No journalism school anywhere in the world teaches any journalism to its students. Go join the first damn newspaper you can, even if it pays you Rs. 200, even if it does not pay you anything at all in the beginning. You will learn more about journalism in one year there than you can learn in the best journalism school in the world,” he signed off.
I am glad I followed his advice and abandoned all plans of joining a journalism school. And the first ‘damn newspaper’ I joined turned out to be ‘Sambad’, the cradle and alma mater for a whole generation of journalists in Odisha who, like me, began their career in the 1980s. Mercifully, the amount on offer for this ‘trainee journalist’ turned out to be a little more than the gentleman had prepared me for. But I would not dare give the same advice I got to the current generation of aspiring journalists because I know they would not stand a chance of becoming even a trainee journalist without a degree or diploma in journalism.
Having interacted with students of a few journalism schools by now, I also find that journalism schools – at least the better ones among them – do teach some journalism to the students after all. But the Statesman journalist’s essential point about the difference between what one learns in a journalism school and while working for a media organization remains as relevant today as it was in the 1980s.
So, here is my two-penny worth unsolicited advice for those who aspire to become journalists. By all means, join a journalism school and get a degree/diploma. But for heaven’s sake, don’t be under any illusion that you have learnt everything there is to learn about journalism in the school. As the old man said, your real education will begin only after you start working for a media house.
(DISCLAIMER: This is an opinion piece. The views expressed are author’s own and have nothing to do with OTV's charter or views. OTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
According to reports, the school was running offline classes on its premises when the BMC authorities raided the institution. It was also found during the raid that the residential school was providing food and accommodation facilities to more than 30 students.
“We were only teaching the relatives of our staff with all the Covid-19 guidelines in place. Outside students were not allowed in the class. All of them have been sent home. So there has been no question of violating the pandemic norms,” said the school authority.
However, according to the BMC officials, it was a clear violation of the guidelines.
“Keeping in view of the surge in Covid-19 in the State, Odisha government has ordered the closure of all the educational institutions in the State from April 19. Keeping so many students in school premises is a clear violation of the pandemic norm. We have levied a fine on the school and asked its authority to send all the students to their houses by this evening,” said a BMC official.
However, a decision regarding sealing of the school building is yet to be taken.
“We will discuss the matter with our higher authorities and further course of action will be taken after the deliberation,” said the official.
(Edited By Mrunal Manmay Dash)
As per reports, there are only four teachers for 266 students from Class 1 to 10th. Due to shortage of staff, teaching has been hampered in the school following which parents and guardians staged protest and locked up the school demanding recruitment of more teachers.
"There are only 4 teachers for 266 students. This is hampering education and our children have to face the consequences," said a parent.
Sources said that due to the ongoing protest, even Independence Day could not be celebrated in the school premises. The protesting parents and guardians have threatened to continue their agitation till adequate teachers are not recruited.
Speaking on the issue, Surya Narayan Das, headmaster of the school, said, "The school has been shut since August 10 by members of the School Management Committee. I have informed the Block Education Officer regarding the issue. Due to the closure of the school, we couldn't even celebrate Independence Day at the school."
It is also alleged that, upon finding her pregnant, school authorities left the girl at her home and didn’t lodge any police complaint. After the matter came to the fore, the district collector directed the welfare officer and Project Administrator of Koraput ITDA (Integrated Tribal Development Agency) to go to the school and launch an investigation.
District welfare officer, Madhusmita Mahapatra has assured to take action against the accused, who is absconding.
"After receiving the complaint, we have launched an investigation. Soon, the culprit will be nabbed and strict action will be taken against him," said Mahapatra.
Sources said family members of the girl have moved to an unknown place fearing stigma.
As per reports, some local residents of the village heard screams from the school last night and upon rushing to the spot, they found a severely burnt man wriggling in pain with his hands & legs tied. When they tried to ascertain his identity by asking him questions, he managed to utter only few words saying that he is a resident of Khurda.
After being informed, police rescued the youth and admitted him to district headquarters hospital where he succumbed to severe burn injuries while undergoing treatment today.
While it is alleged that he was probably set on fire by miscreants, it is also suspected that the youth could have deliberately set himself on fire over failed love affair or family feud as a knife and name of a woman was found written with blood at the spot.
“After hearing screams, we went inside the school and rescued the youth who was already severely burnt. Some miscreants must have been involved in the crime,” said a local resident Satyajit Mohanty.
Asked about the incident, Jagatsinghpur SDPO Prakash Chandra Pal said, "Investigation is underway but preliminary probe has revealed that there is a sharp cutting on the hand of the deceased. Also, name of a woman written with blood was found on the floor. It could be either a failed love affair or family feud.”
Despite hardship, Laxmi, who works as a labourer, is trying her best to ensure a better life for her siblings.
“After father’s death, I am looking after my three siblings. I am not able to go to school due to financial constraints. But I am working as a labourer so that they can get education and lead a good life,” said Laxmi.
Adding to the family’s woes, Laxmi’s mother allegedly abandoned the kids following her husband’s death and settled with another man.
Even Sahida’s old-age pension of Rs 500 and provision of 10 kg rice per month is not enough to make the ends meet.
“I am not fit enough to go to work and completely dependent on my granddaughter. The assistance that I am getting from the government is of little help,” said Sahida.
Even though Laxmi’s neighbours extend help on a few occasions, the family still struggles to get basic government facilities. However, after repeated requests, local administration has assured to take adequate steps so that Laxmi and her family members can be rehabilitated.
“I will forward the matter to the BDO. We will try to rehabilitate the kids if they are willing to stay in hostel. As far as house is concerned, their name must be on the beneficiary list so they will get it eventually,” said Jeypore sub-collector, Lokanath Dalabehera.
According to sources, electricity supply to the school was cut on January 15 this year as the authorities allegedly failed to clear the pending power dues of Rs 14,15,159. Due to lack of electricity, the ceiling fans and lights are lying defunct, much to the inconvenience of the students, who don't even have access to drinking water.
The bill amount including the interest surpassed Rs 14 lakh after the school came under the jurisdiction of District Education Officer (DEO) from Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC).
“How could we attend our classes as our school does not have electricity and drinking water facilities. The water we bring from home in bottles is not sufficient as we have to stay here from 9 AM to 4 PM. Besides, we also suffer from various health-related issues,” said Barsha Mohanty, a student.
Echoing similar sentiments, another student P Padmini said, “We regularly come to school. But due to hot climate and defunct ceiling fans, we are unable to concentrate on studies.”
The school authorities said although they brought the issue to the notice of the district collector and DEO, nothing has been done so far to address the issue.
“As the water motor is not working due to lack of electricity, children are unable to get drinking water. Students are forced to carry water from tube well to use it in the toilet. Due to hot weather and sans electricity, many children are also remaining absent from school,” said headmistress Bishnupriya Das.
On the other hand, District Collector Bhawani Shankar Chayani assured to resolved the issue soon.
“I will ask the DEO to inquire into the matter and resolve the issues at the earliest,” said Chayani.
The matter came to light after some villagers alleged that headmaster Pradeep Kumar Mandal sets off to nearby villages to offer quack treatment soon after registering his attendance at the school. The villagers said that despite lodging a complaint before the District Education Officer (DEO), no steps have been taken so far against Mandal.
Speaking on the issue, School Managing Committee president, Dinabandhu Bhatra said, "It is not good for a school headmaster to visit villages during school hours. He holds a responsible post and should act responsibly."
On the other hand, the headmaster admitted offering treatment to patients.
"It is true that I go to villages to cure patients, but I do that between 6 AM and 10 AM. Later in the day after the school hours, I also visit some villages," said Mandal.
"However, the classes of 9th to 12th standards in schools under the control/superintendent/ supervision of School & Mass Education Department will open from November 16, 2020 as per the guidelines/ standard operating procedures (SOP) issued by the School and Mass Education Department," read the official notification issued by the office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), Government of Odisha.
Though the academic institution will remain closed, the following activities will be permitted:
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In a notification issued on Friday evening, the School and Mass Education Department informed that all schools in the State shall remain closed till the above mentioned period in view of a second wave of Covid-19 infection being experienced in some States.
The government has mentioned that the decision has been taken after holding extensive consultations with various stakeholders.
However, there are some exceptions in the order. Accordingly, conduct of examinations, evaluation and other administrative activities will be permitted during the period.
Similarly, online learning shall continue and be encouraged. Teaching and non teaching staff may be called to schools for online teaching, tele-councelling and related work, the notification states.
The State government had earlier announced that classes for students of IX to XII will resume in November for which the guidelines and necessary SOPs were being prepared by the School and Mass Education Department.
However, earlier in the day, the School and Mass Education minister Sameer Dash had stated that the decision to reopen schools in November has been put on hold.
"There is a possibility of a Covid-19 second wave in the State next month. So we have decided that as of now schools will not reopen. They will continue to be closed," the minister had stated.
(Edited By: Suryakant Jena)
Deputy Director of Odisha Higher Secondary Education Siba Shankar Pradhan on Sunday directed the Block Education Officer (BEO) of Bandhugaan to withhold the salary of teachers and other staff of Almunda Jaguguda School for not adhering to the Covid-19 Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) set by the government.
Pradhan, who visited seven schools in Badhugaan and two other schools in Narayanpatna blocks, expressed displeasure over the unhygienic environment at Almunda Jaguguda School.
"I visited several schools in Bandhugaan and Narayanpatna block in Koraput district today. Except Almunda Jaguguda, all other schools were found to have adhered to the covid-9 protocols. I directed the Bandhugaan BEO to hold back the salary of the school teachers for violating government norms. Their salary will not be cleared until they adhere to the government guidelines," Pradhan said.
He visited several schools in remote areas of two blocks in the district to inspect whether the classes are being conducted on Sundays as per government’s rules.
Bandhugaan BEO Prafulla Kumar Mishra and Narayanpatna BEO Seemanchal Nahak accompanied him to various schools during the visit.
Earlier, the salary of teaching and non-teaching staff of five schools in Keonjhar district had been withheld on similar charges.
The schools found to have violated the Covid-19 SoPs were SMR High School from Jharbelda, Khireitangiri Government High School, Bishoipat Government High School from Jamunaposi, PMB High School from Bolaniposi and Jhalamani School from Denuan in Keonjhar district.
The district education officer had found blatant violations of government norms while he was on a visit to different schools on the first day of reopening of schools.
School and Mass Education Minister Sameer Ranjan Dash said that classes for revision of courses will be held from the April 1 as syllabi have almost been covered.
"Students' attendance has also decreased significantly as they started focusing on self study at home. This is the time for revision of courses. So, there is no need of holding regular classes anymore," Dash said.
https://youtu.be/eODxDPRWRZY
The government had implemented class room teachings even on Saturday and Sunday to compensate the losses incurred by the students due to Covid-19 induced lockdown.
Odisha Secondary School Teachers' Association (OSSTA) had however demanded the government to stop classroom teachings on Sundays.
It may be noted that after a gap of about nine months, schools across Odisha were reopened for class 10 and 12 students from January 8. Students of class 10 will appear their annual board examinations from May 3 while the annual CHSE examination for plus II students will begin be held from May 18.
Apart from reducing the syllabus by 30% to reduce burden on students as well as teachers, the government has also released a special exam guide for the examinees called 'Pariksha Darpan'.
The government had set a 100-day target to cover the courses before conducting the examinations.