Angul: It has been alleged that for the sheer carelessness and superfluous actions of Angul education department, Adarsha Vidyalaya (model school) which was proposed to be established under Athamallick block in the district has got entangled in legal complications for past two years.
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Notably, Angul, Talcher, Chhendipada, Kishorenagar and Pallahara blocks in the district already have Adarsha Vidyalayas. The basic idea behind establishing such schools was to provide free education to poor and meritorious students in Angul district, as per Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) curriculum.
The state government establishes Adarsha Vidyalayas under each block in Odisha. Initially, the department had decided to establish a school at Olatha village of Aida panchayat under the Athamallick block. Later, the decision was changed and proposed model school was shifted to Banamalipur village of Kruttibaspur panchayat.
Worthy to note, this decision of Angul education department was vehemently opposed by the local lawyers’ association. A memorandum was submitted in this regard to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik June 29 2018 through the erstwhile Athamallick Sub-Collector.
Another memorandum was submitted by a local outfit Sholapada Kriyanusthan Committee that comprised of ten panchayats under Athamallick block, to the Angul district Collector July 1 2018.
Local villagers of Pedipathar, Sanahula, Thakuragarh, Kurumapata, Kruttibaspur, Sapaghara, Paikasahi, Kantapada, Maimura and Ambasaramunda panchayats under this block demanded that the proposed model school be opened at Banamalipur village.
A case was also filed in Orissa High Court due to the clashing groups troubling the department authorities.
On being contacted, Athamallick block education officer (BEO) in charge Pradip Kumar Rath said, “Administrative officials had been acting as per instructions of the state government, regarding establishment of an Adarsha Vidyalaya under this block. However, involvement of two opposite groups aggravated the situation”.
Expressing his views on the matter Dushmant Nayak, a local social activist, said, “The department changing its decision fuelled controversies. As things got worse, the matter went to court. Angul education department should have acted according to the state government guidelines”.
PNN
