Loisingha: Shortage of teachers and inadequate infrastructure have affected the studies at Government Upper Primary (UP) School, Luchkibahal in Jharmunda panchayat of Loisingha block in Balangir district, raising concern over a steady decline in student enrolment. The school offers education from Sishu Vatika (pre-school education) to Class VIII.
Its enrolment has fallen to 53 students from more than 80 a few years ago, reportedly because of the lack of teachers and basic facilities. Established in 1958, the school initially offered classes from Class I through Class V.
The state government upgraded it to an upper primary school in 2011, extending education through Class VIII. Since last year, it has also been offering Sishu Vatika classes. Earlier, two teachers were responsible for teaching students from Class I through Class VIII.
The situation improved to some extent when two Sikhya Sahayaks were appointed in 2018. However, in 2023, one teacher was transferred following a promotion. Another teacher has been on maternity leave since August 9, leaving only two teachers currently handling classes.
Despite catering to students from Sishu Vatika through Class VIII, the school has only two classrooms. Students are divided between the available rooms, making it difficult to conduct classes effectively. Primary school students are being taught in the school office room due to the shortage of classroom space.
The lack of adequate teachers and classrooms has raised concerns about the quality of education and the declining enrolment, highlighting the need for urgent intervention to improve facilities and ensure sufficient teaching staff.
Moreover, the two additional classrooms constructed at a cost of Rs 17 lakh have not been handed over to the school authorities as electrical work remains incomplete due to the contractor’s negligence. The school’s power supply has remained disconnected since September 15, leaving students unable to attend classes using smart boards.
The non-functional fans due to lack of power supply also caused considerable discomfort to students. Following an inquiry by this correspondent with the School and Mass Education Department, power supply was restored to the school as an immediate measure.
Although the school has toilet and drinking water facilities, overcrowding in a single classroom has created an uncomfortable learning environment, headmaster Rajkishore Behera said. School Management Committee president Pramodini Ghibela said providing the school with an adequate number of teachers and classrooms would benefit students and encourage more children to enrol.
Additional Block Education Officer Rudra Prasad Sarangi said the shortage of teachers persisted across schools due to the absence of new appointments. He said necessary steps would be taken to ensure the additional classrooms are handed over to the school at the earliest.
