Dasamantapur: Even as the state government launches various measures to strengthen the education system, the students fail to get the desired results thanks to truant teachers and inefficient department officials.
One such incident came to light recently in this block of Koraput district where the school is yet to open after Durgapuja festival last year. Left with no option, students graze cattle these days to utilise the ‘extended’ vacation, it was learnt.
Kiraamba village primary school comes under Girligumma panchayat of Dasamantapur block. A lone teacher, Fakir Mohan Barik, was appointed to teach all 25 students of the school between Class I and Class V.
According to reports, the teacher used to open the school as per his own sweet will till Dussera. However, after puja vacation, the school remained closed. Though students regularly come to the school to attend classes, they return home. The kids have almost forgotten what they had learnt earlier, the villagers said.
According to them, the students were not provided mid-day meals when the school functioned. That apart, on no occasions like Independence Day, Republic Day, Ganesh Puja or Saraswati Puja did celebrations take place here, Guru Muduli, Bhagirathi Muduli, Lalita Muduli and Ishwar Muduli of the village alleged. Despite such gross negligence of the teacher, he continues to get his salary while none of the department officials visit the school to take stock of situation, they said.
Meanwhile, many students were seen tending farm animals to use their ‘extended’ vacation. “Sir has not come to the school for a long time. As the school remains closed, we don’t need to cook,” two cooks of the school Sabani Muduli and Nilai Muduli said.
Echoing the same, school managing committee president Joseph Muduli said the institute is yet to be opened after Puja vacation.
“When the officials ask me to sign the papers, I oblige them without going through the matter,” Joseph added.
When contacted, block education officer Amiya Kumar Mohanty said it is not possible for him to visit all the schools personally to inspect the state of affairs. The teachers don’t mend their ways despite all corrective measures taken by the government, Mohanty regretted. PNN
