Sunabeda/Semiliguda: Fifty-five pupils of six classes from Shishu Vatika to Class V at Deula Primary School in Hataguda panchayat of Semiliguda block in Koraput district are forced to study in a single classroom amid a shortage of teaching staff and a lack of basic infrastructure.
Although the school has two teachers on its rolls, one has been absent for a prolonged period due to illness, while the other is engaged in Booth Level Officer (BLO) duties. As a result, teaching is frequently disrupted.
The school also faces a shortage of classrooms, a lack of boundary walls and inadequate access roads and paved walkways. The existing toilet is reportedly in a dilapidated condition and is used only by school staff, forcing children to go outside to relieve themselves. Villagers Ganesh Sisa, Bishnu Khara and Keshab Khila alleged that repeated complaints to the block administration, Education Department and public grievance redressal camps had failed to bring any relief.
Established July 1, 1957, the school has also been without adequate drinking water supply for the past three years. Although a pipeline has been connected from a nearby village, the water supply is insufficient, said Keshab Golari, president of the school management committee.
He added that Officer (BEO) Bhaba ni Nandan Patnaik said the classroom shortage would be brought to the block administration’s attention again. He added that a new teacher would be appointed after the ongoing teacher transfer process was completed. Hataguda sarpanch Narayan that the damaged toilet and absence of a boundary wall were further inconveniencing students.
Despite written and verbal complaints to the sarpanch, the Panchayat Executive Officer (PEO) and the block administration, no remedial action had been taken, he alleged. Acting headmaster Hemant Hantal was unavailable for comment.
Block Education Nandibali said the block administration had sanctioned `9 lakh for an additional classroom. The construction work had been delayed due to minor issues, but steps would be taken to start it soon after discussions with the Block Development Officer (BDO), he said.