Bhubaneswar While a classroom has remained locked for a week, students are sitting in the veranda. Since there was no prior notice, these children—who haven’t taken admission elsewhere—continue coming to school as usual. But they neither get to study in classrooms nor receive mid-day meals. This is not a scene from a remote region—this is happening in the state capital.
One Week in the Veranda for Students
Mid-Day Meal and Admission Halt Orders
Discontent Among Parents and Students
Such scenes have been witnessed at the Railway Colony Upper Primary School. Students from Classes 6 and 7, along with their parents, are now left confused and uncertain about what to do.
The previous government had closed schools with low student strength. The current government had announced reopening of these closed schools. But in this situation, an operating school has been ordered to close by the School and Mass Education Department. After receiving the letter, both students and parents are distressed.
Education Information
Locks have been placed on classrooms. As students are not allowed to enter, they are helplessly sitting in the veranda—a sight that has pained many parents. On top of that, mid-day meals have been discontinued, and orders have been given to stop new admissions.
As the decision to close the school was finalized, plans have also been made to transfer the teachers elsewhere. Since the 1st of this month, the Block Education Officer (BEO) and District Education Officer (DEO) have informed the teachers about this decision, leaving everyone shocked. Students who passed the 5th grade and are now in 6th or 7th say their future looks bleak. They mention that unless their names are enrolled in some other school within a 3 km radius, they can’t continue their studies. However, if the school is beyond 3 km, they’re being denied admission due to lack of seats.
According to reports, the school was established in 1991 and received government aid in 1994. Since then, the school has functioned continuously, offering education from Classes 1 to 7. Last academic year, around 130 students studied in Classes 6 and 7. It is revealed that only two teachers are available to meet the needs of these many students. Despite the circumstances, the School and Mass Education Department has issued a closure order. Parents are now left wondering what to do.
While parents worry, it is heartbreaking that for the past week students are sitting outside classrooms and being denied mid-day meals. Most students belong to marginalized, poor communities like daily-wage laborers and are wondering who will stand up for their rights.
Some parents have approached local MLA Sushant Kumar Raut with complaints. He questioned why the government would shut down such an old school with more than 130 students without considering their future. He added that he would write to the Education Department requesting the school to continue as before.
Attempts to contact the Block and District Education Officers failed. Currently, no one seems to have a clear answer about the students’ future. Former Headmaster Rabindra Kumar Bera stated that the government should reverse this decision and run the institution as a model upper primary school for the benefit of the students. The responsible teacher, Amatulla Karim, confirmed that a proposal regarding this has already been submitted to the government and education authorities.