Ashram schools run by the ST & SC Development Department have been in news recently for all the wrong reasons. And this time, it is an Ashram school in Koraput district where nearly 400 students, including boarders, have left for their homes after locking the school office and gate to register their protest against alleged ‘misdeeds’ of the headmaster.
The students of the school at Champi under laxmipur block left for their homes on Monday demanding immediate transfer of headmaster Bishnu Charan Jethy. They ransacked the garden and fences of the school, pelted stones at the residence of the headmaster before locking the gate and office. They also left behind a handwritten letter at the school gate saying the headmaster was responsible for the bad quality food served to them and accusing him of physically assaulting them.
The students had demanded the headmaster’s transfer a week ago, following which officials of the School and Mass Education Department had visited the school for a spot inquiry. But strangely, the department transferred two other teachers and left the headmaster untouched.“We had even told the local MlA about the problems in the school, and he had promised to get the headmaster transferred. We will not return till the headmaster is transferred and the transfer orders of the two teachers are cancelled,” the students told reporters.
While the headmaster was not available for his comments, a district official said an inquiry would be conducted into the issue. District Welfare Officer Jagannath Soren said he has intimated the matter to the higher-ups. As an immediate measure, the headmaster has been sent to the head office on deputation, he added.