The Odisha Government had declared opening of English medium school in 100 model schools in 14 backward districts in first phase under the aegis of Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya and in Sundargarh district, admission process has already begun for seven model schools. But these schools are yet to be started full-fledged.
According to sources, as per the declaration of the Odisha Government, 17 English medium schools under the aegis of Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya should be opened in as many blocks in Sundargarh district. But in first phase, seven schools in seven blocks with hostel facility should have been made available by July which has not been done as yet. The English medium schools will offer education from Standard VI to Standard XII under the CBSE curriculum.
On April 5 this year, entrance examination was held for taking admission into these seven schools for the current session. About 5,000 students appeared for 6th and 7th class to be started from April.
The English medium model schools will be opened in Kuanrmunda, Nuagaon, lathikata, Bisra, Koira, lahunipada and Gurundia blocks. Students who will take admission will study there by staying in hostel and the State Government will bear all their expenses.
However, according to sources, hostel has not yet been constructed in any of these seven schools. Even school building has not yet been properly completed. Teachers for these schools have not yet been recruited. The DEO Sundargarh has sent four teachers each from Odia medium schools to these seven schools on deputation.
The teachers who have been deputed have experience in Odia medium education but how they will teach the students in English is a big question. They are also not acquainted with CBSE course either.
“This year we are going to start from standard VI and VII. We will begin with day school this year,” said District Education Officer DC Behera. “We are also providing training to the teachers who are on deputation to teach these students. We will provide special training to the students to understand English and speak English,” Behera added.