Most primary schools in the district here are crippled by the problem in teacher-pupil ratio. While in a few schools, teachers are more in proportion to the student strength, in a few others the case is just the opposite. What is worrisome, there are a few schools which have been in moribund state without either a teacher or a student but they are mentioned as functional in pen and paper for pecuniary benefits by vested interest.
Take for instance the Makandar project primary school located on the premises of Naganpur Primary school of Garadapur block. As per official records only 14 students are studying from class I to Class V. But according to sources, only six to seven students come to the school. The school has remained closed since April 30 last. As the only teacher, who was entrusted to run the school retired on April 30, the school has been shut down virtually. In last two years, not a single
student got admission in the school, though the authorities are providing it all the facilities available under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) in pen and paper.
Though there is a guide line that if a school is a non- optimal (having strength below 25) and another primary school exists within a kilometer of radius, then the non-optimal school will be merged in the nearby school, but here nothing of the sort is done.
Similarly, another school is the Padabangalapur project primary school. Here the total strength for class I to Class V is 10. A teacher has been appointed for the school. But most of the time, nearly four to five students come to the school on regular basis. The school and the local Anganwadi function in a single room. Most of often, the teacher skips the class by providing charge to the Angawadi worker. Notably, within a radius of 400 meter, another primary school, Padabangalpur primary school is functioning. But they are yet to be merged.
Similar is the fate of Mohammedpur project primary school. Here, according to official sources, the total strength of the school is 17.
A teacher has been appointed. The school building construction work has been going on. As a result, the school is running in a room of a local temple. Here, also one can find another school within a radius of one kilometer, but it is yet to be merged.
This is only the tip off an iceberg. If official sources are to be believed as many as 133 non-optimal schools, whose strength is below 25, have been operating in the district. Even in several non optimal schools, several teachers have been appointed, who never turn up for duty.
last year, the Odisha Primary Education Programme Authority (OPEPA) had directed the SSA officials to identify the number of non optimal schools in the district and submit a detailed report for merging the non optimal schools but it was not heeded. "We have later conducted a drive and came to know that as many as 133 non optimal schools are functioning in the district," said Kendrapada SSA DPC Kailash Chandra Das.
Sources said 17 non optimal schools are functioning in Aul block, 29 in Derabish, 17 in Garadapur block, 20 in Kendrapada block , seven in Mahakalada, nine in Pattamundai, 15 in Rajkanika, five in Rajnagar, while in Marshaghai there are 14 non optimal schools.
While the State Government has been providing crore of rupees under SSA by introducing mid day meal scheme with an aim to bring the children to the Government run primary schools, it seems the entire gamut of activities are going futile in the district, added sources.