Dhenkanal: The PM SHRI Brajanath Badajena (BB) High School, one of Dhenkanal district’s oldest educational institutions, is facing a shortage of teachers, lack of a permanent headmaster and inadequate infrastructure, raising concern among parents, alumni and members of the public.
Established in 1896, the heritage institution has a distinguished legacy and has produced several prominent alumni who have held important positions at the state and national levels.
However, its present condition has raised concerns over the facilities available to students.
Located in Dhenkanal town, the school has been without a permanent headmaster for nearly one-and-a-half years.
It currently has an acting headmaster, while several teaching posts remain vacant. Of the sanctioned strength of 32 teachers, only 18 are currently working for around 700 students from Class I to Class X.
The shortage of teaching staff has added to the challenges faced by the institution.
The hostel on the school campus has remained non-functional, while the Vana Vidyalaya is reportedly lying neglected. Parents and guardians have expressed concern over the condition of these facilities.
The school’s playground has also suffered from poor maintenance and has reportedly become a hangout for anti-social elements.
Toilets and an open pavilion on the campus are also in need of repair and maintenance. The school requires additional toilets and tube wells to meet the needs of its students, officials and school authorities said.
The institution has a distinguished list of alumni, including former High Court judges, senior civil servants, freedom fighters, scientists and artists.
Among its notable alumni are former Odisha Lokpal Sarat Chandra Mohapatra, former MP Devendra Satpathy, Padma Shri awardee Adwaita Charan Gadanayak and Odisha Minister Krushna Chandra Patra.
Former science teacher and alumnus Dr Debi Prasad Mishra said the government has repeatedly been urged to address the problems facing the institution.
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Though the school has received PM SHRI funds from the Central Government over the past five years, along with state grants for sports equipment and various celebrations, the financial assistance has not been sufficient to strengthen the infrastructure of the century-old institution, he said.
Acting headmaster Manoj Ranjan Dalei said appointing a permanent headmaster has become essential for the prestigious institution.
He said the school needs additional toilets and tube wells to ensure adequate sanitation and drinking water for its 700 students.
The hostel on the school premises has also remained abandoned, he said.
Dhenkanal District Education Officer (DEO), Paresh Chandra Patra said the headmaster’s post belongs to the Class II cadre and the government would take a decision on the appointment.
Sources said the acting headmaster is substantively an additional district education officer and is also holding charge as the Gondia block education officer.
Since the headmaster’s post is filled by the School and Mass Education Department, the school authorities are awaiting a decision on the appointment of a permanent incumbent.