Deprived schools: Teacher shortage, defunct smart classrooms hit teaching

ASESH NATH MISHRA, OP

Digapahandi: The Badakhemundi High School here in Ganjam district is facing a shortage of teachers, affecting classroom teaching and leaving students without mathematics classes since the beginning of this academic year. Established in 1913, the school has 283 students — 37 in Class VI, 57 in Class VII, 45 in Class VIII, 70 in Class IX and 74 in Class X. The posts of headmaster and two trained graduate teachers (TGTs) are vacant. As a result, students of Classes IX and X have not had a single mathematics class since the academic year began.

Two Plus II Certificate in Teaching (CT) trained teacher posts and three matriculation CT-trained teacher posts are also lying vacant. With only one teacher available for Classes VI to VIII, teaching in these classes has been severely affected. The post of a physical education teacher is also vacant. Earlier, two teachers — Bhagaban Patra and Ramachandra Mohapatra, were sent to other schools on deputation. Social worker Tara Prasad Pattnaik said bringing them back could significantly improve the situation.

Meanwhile, acting head master Sunil Mohanty has also been transferred to Nimakhandi Pentha High School recently. Two smart classrooms were constructed at the school under the previous state government’s 5T high school transformation programme.

However, because of the teacher shortage, students are being taught on blackboards in the smart classrooms. The two smart TVs installed there have also become defunct. Recently, a large number of students met Block Education Officer (BEO) Bhupen Mohanta and submitted a memorandum seeking the filling of the vacant teacher posts. Parents have also warned of locking the high school if the higher authorities of the Education Department fail to fill the vacancies.

BEO Mohanta said the matter would be brought to the attention of senior officials of the Education Department soon. He said the school has a science teacher who can also teach mathematics along with science. Headmaster (in-charge) Sunil Mohanty said the student enrolment has declined this year compared to the previous year. He said the school regularly receives government grants for purchase of science equipment, sports materials and other developmental activities.

The school received grants of Rs 30 lakh each during the 2024 25 and 2025-26 financial years under the Panchasakha Shiksha Setu Sangathan initiative of the state School and Mass Education Department. However, as the funds were not spent within the stipulated period and utilisation certificates were not submitted, the school has received a letter directing it to return the amount along with interest. The headmaster (in-charge) also said the BEO has been given the authority to withdraw funds from the school’s account for the past three months. He said drinking water and toilet facilities are available at the school.

Former school management committee president Udayanath Samant said students were facing the half-yearly examinations without having received proper mathematics instruction since the beginning of the academic year owing to absence of a teacher for the subject. The permanent head master’s post has also remained vacant for several years. The school management committee has not yet been formed this year, Samant said. Adding that there are also allegations that some teachers are not taking classes, he urged the District Education Officer (DEO) to take action.

Of the Rs 30 lakh grant received in the 2025 financial year, Rs 9,42,097 was allegedly spent irregularly on flooring of a pandal (Natya Mandap) and an adjoining road without approval from the DEO or the school management committee. The DEO issued a show-cause notice to the headmaster (in charge) and directed him to immediately return the amount and deposit it in the school’s bank account. The letter was issued April 30 under Letter No. 8566.