The School and Mass Education Department closed five schools in Sambalpur district for less attendance. These schools had less than 10 students each and the situation didn’t improve in spite of all efforts by the teachers and officials.
The schools included two in Maneswar block and three in Jujomura block. “The schools located in Dakipada, Juhnapani and Daptaela villages under the Jujomura block, and Nuagan and Chitkel villages of Maneswar block have been closed due to less number of students for several consecutive years. And these students have been sent to the nearby schools,” SSA authorities here said. These schools had less than even 10 students in all and hence, such a decision had to be taken, it added. But the villagers of Nuagan under Maneswar block have expressed utter dissatisfaction over such decision.
“14 students took admission in our school this year. Hence, there is no point to close this school,” the villagers argued. Further, they alleged that the nearby school in which these students have been accommodated is five km away from the village. Hence, the students are sure to discontinue their primary education which is against the policy of the Government, told the villagers. They alleged that primary schools are running with less number of students in Sambalpur town itself and asked why rural schools were only targeted.
The villagers of Nuagan have further warned that they will be compelled to take to the streets if the department does not change its anti-people decision to cripple primary education in rural areas. “If necessary, we will knock the door of the court of law against such illegal order,” they warned.