Rayagada (Gajapati): Primary education in several schools located close to the Andhra-Orissa border in Gajapati district is in a shambles as teachers often play truant. The schools being situated in inaccessible areas only helps the teachers get away with their truancy, according to a report.
A case in point is the Chhamundia primary school, located about 80 km away from Rayagada block headquarters, in Gangabada panchayat. Though the student strength of the school is 17 including seven girls, it remains closed for half of the days in a month. Two teachers have been appointed for Class I to Class IV but they don’t turn up regularly.
For example, Rajkishore patra, a teacher as well as the headmaster of the school, remained on leave Wednesday and Thursday citing emergency.
But the attendance register doesn’t reflect his absence as the spaces have been kept vacant instead of being marked ‘absent’. This raises questions whether this has been done on purpose so that the register can be tampered with in future.
Similarly, Patra remained absent Tuesday without citing any reason even as there is rule in place to take permission from higher ups before availing leave. Both the teachers remain absent in turns violating service norms, villagers said, adding the duo takes advantage of the school’s remote location.
Though such issues were taken up with block education officer (BEO), district education officer and collector, the administration preferred to shield the teachers, sarpanch Sunita Kingal alleged, demanding action against the teachers.
Cluster resources centre coordinator (CRCC) B Prasad admitted that irregularities were committed in management of the school. “The teacher was absent when I visited the school.
I have received several complaints against him,” Prasad said.
BEO Rajesh Swain said he has asked CRCC to file a report on the matter. Based on the report, he would initiate action, Swain added. PNN
