JAGANNATH DHAL, OP
Kendrapada: A 163-year-old educational institution in the district, Town High School, Kendrapada, is struggling with dilapidated classrooms, a shortage of teachers and inadequate basic facilities, raising concerns over the academic environment and the safety of around 500 students. Despite its historical significance and recognition as a heritage school, the institution continues to await much-needed infrastructure improvements.
Established in 1863 as a Middle Vernacular School, it became the district’s first English high school in 1883. Initially housed in the palace of Aaali king Brajasundar Dev, the school has produced several distinguished personalities, including poet Nandakishore Bal, the first postmaster general Charan Das, the first Odia district magistrate Dayanidhi Das, former minister Bed Prakash Agarwal and former MLA Indramani Rout.
The school offers classes from Class VI to X and has eight classrooms, three of which are in a dilapidated condition. Five rooms located above the main office building were declared unsafe three years ago but are yet to be demolished. The poor condition of the buildings has further compounded the prob lem, with rainwater frequently seeping into classrooms and disrupting regular lessons. The institution also faces an acute shortage of teaching and non-teaching staff. Against a sanctioned strength of 32 teachers, only 16 are currently working. The posts of science teacher and senior clerk remain vacant, while an in-charge headmaster is managing the institution in the absence of a regular headmaster.
Former student Tariq Ahmed said the shortage of teachers was adversely affecting teaching and learning activities. Parents and former students have also expressed concern over the unsafe buildings, undeveloped playground and lack of proper campus security. The low boundary wall allows cattle to enter the premises freely.
A toilet block remains locked because of its dilapidated condition, while the nearby cyclone shelter is reportedly not cleaned regularly. Snakes are frequently spotted in the area, posing a potential threat to students. Former students, including Prafulla Kumar Sahu, former municipal chairperson Dhiren Sahu and councillor Pushpanjali Bastia, said the school had been brought under the PM SHRI scheme and included in the heritage school list. As a nodal high school, it regularly hosts examinations, workshops, training programmes, matriculation answer-sheet evaluation, competitive examinations and government events. They expressed concern over the neglect of an institution of such importance. School management committee president Sk. Mustak said the school lacked adequate classrooms to accommodate students properly.
Several unsafe rooms remained standing, while the absence of proper drainage caused waterlogging during the rainy season, disrupting academic activities. According to information obtained under the Right to Information Act from the district education officer’s office, Rs 30.32 lakh was spent on the school’s development between 2021 and 2026. However, no funds have been sanctioned for its renovation despite its heritage status.
Acting headmistress Sukeshini Pradhan said memorandums had been submitted to the District Education Officer (DEO) and the District Collector seeking intervention to address teacher shortages, improve the playground and demolish unsafe buildings. She said the remaining toilets were functional.