Nabarangpur: Around 10 years ago, an administrative building, classrooms, student hostel, and teachers’ quarters for a B.Ed College were constructed near Hirli in Nabarangpur city at a cost of about ₹5 crore. After the construction was completed, the building was handed over to the administration. However, even after 10 years, the B.Ed College has not been able to open. Initially, after construction, a few years ago, it was used for a student hostel under the Ministry of Social Welfare. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was converted into a COVID hospital for two years. After the COVID period, this costly building, constructed with crores of rupees, is still not being used for its intended purpose.
In the undivided Koraput district, there is only one B.Ed College in Koraput. Therefore, in the 2023-24 academic year, a special 4-year teacher training program under a model degree college was set up in Nabarangpur to fill 50 seats. The B.Ed College building was also constructed for this program, but the B.Ed course has yet to be opened. In 2022, a decision was made to open the B.Ed course under the Model College’s management, and the administration was supposed to facilitate the opening of the course in Nabarangpur. This decision brought hope to many aspiring students in the district, as there was no other option for teacher training.
However, the problem remains that the B.Ed program cannot be opened as the college has not yet received NAAC accreditation, which is a necessary requirement for higher education institutions. As a result, despite government approvals and efforts, the B.Ed course cannot commence, and the district faces difficulties in offering this program. The college administration has been in contact regarding the NAAC accreditation process, and they have submitted an application. If the government grants permission, the B.Ed course will be opened, but until then, the program remains on hold.