Koraput: Despite a growing interest among students in pursuing science at the higher secondary level (Class 11 and 12), districts like Koraput, which are predominantly inhabited by tribal populations, face a shortage of seats in science streams compared to the number of students who pass the matriculation exam. Due to financial constraints, poor students are unable to enroll in private higher secondary schools.
This year, 17,148 students in Koraput district passed the matriculation exam. Typically, students from grades A-1 to D express interest in studying science in higher secondary. However, students from rural areas face challenges in accessing private higher secondary institutions because the costs are high, and most parents cannot afford such expenses.
Blocks like Baipariguda and Lamptaput do not have any government or government-aided colleges offering science courses. In contrast, in blocks like Dasmantpur and Patangi, only SSD (Schedule Caste & Scheduled Tribe Department) higher secondary schools offer science courses.
According to government data, Baipariguda block has one government and one aided college, neither of which offers science courses. As a result, students from the block rely on institutions in Jeypore town for studying science. If they do not get seats in government colleges in Jeypore, they are forced to enroll in private institutions, which involves significant costs. Otherwise, students are compelled to choose other streams.
For instance, Dasmantpur’s SSD higher secondary school offers only 128 science seats. In the entire Koraput district, only the Landiguda government higher secondary school offers science. Lamptaput block has no colleges that offer science education. While Patangi block lacks mainstream science programs, Thuria SSD higher secondary school offers limited science courses. As a result, many students are deprived of the opportunity to study science.
At Shaheed Laxman Nayak Higher Secondary School in Baipariguda, students remain deprived due to the absence of science courses. Of the total 4,920 science seats in Koraput district, approximately 2,900 are in government, aided, and SSD schools, while the remaining 2,020 are in private institutions. Since more than 40% of science seats are in private colleges, poor students are left disappointed and without options.
There is now a growing demand for the Education Department to take appropriate action and address this critical issue.