Keonjhar: Academic activities of Khajurimunda Upper Primary School and its two girls’ hostels are in disarray due to staff shortage.
Sources said the school was established in 1972 as Khajurimunda Lower Primary School under Bansapala block in Keonjhar district. Later it was upgraded to Upper Primary School.
To encourage girls’ education here, the government had opened a girls’ hostel for general students and another for the SC and ST students.
It is alleged that a senior teacher of this school has gone on deputation to Ghasipura block for an indefinite period. As per the guidelines of the School and Mass Education Department, transfer of contractual teachers is not permitted.
While questioning the transfer, locals alleged that due to lack of inspection Rs 25 lakh was misappropriated by the school officials. The money is given for the development of girls’ hostel every year.
There is a provision to coach the girls after school hours. But they continue to suffer in their studies due to teacher shortage.
Though the government has been providing regular funds for the development of the girls’ hostel, posts for one cook, one peon and one accountant have been lying vacant for years.
As the accountant post has been vacant, various problems are cropping up in the management of hostel. Locals alleged that the teachers of the school get the accounts maintained by an outsider on private basis.
Locals demanded a probe as the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan is not requiting candidates for vacant positions on the instructions of some influential persons.
A total of 210 girls are staying in the two hostels – 100 in the general one and 110 in the SC and ST one. They are suffering from various problems as the basic facilities are not provided to them.
As per sources, there is only one tube well and one bore well for the 210 girls. The water available for them is not enough for their drinking and other uses.
There are only six teachers in the school for 380 girls and boys. Locals alleged that shortage of teachers has adversely affected the education of the students.
When Girls Coordinator of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan Anupama Rout was asked, she replied, “We will appoint eligible candidates in all vacant posts of the school after the elections.” She further clarified that there is no problem in the management of schools.
However, when Project Coordinator Purnachandra Sethi was contacted, he said he would take appropriate action on all such allegations with the inspection report.
