As many as 67 Government schools of Sundargarh district were transformed under 5-T initiative recently and the schools are shining and smart classes have also been introduced in these schools but surprisingly in most of the schools, there is no regular headmaster. Many teacher posts are also lying vacant in these schools.
These schools were transformed with the funding of DMF and OMBADC (Odisha Mineral Bearing Areas Development Corporation). The schools that were transformed in the first phase in the district are from all 17 blocks and three ULBs of Sundargarh, Rajgangpur and Birmitrapur. These schools have been refurbished with amenities like smart classrooms, e-libraries with reading rooms, modern laboratories, sports infrastructure, safe drinking water facilities and lavatories.
12 new computers have also been installed in the computer lab in each school. Under 5T initiative, facilities like smart class, modern science lab, e-library and ICT Lab, were being built. Sources said, about Rs 26.80 lakh was spent per school, for the transformation of the 67 high schools.
But surprisingly, the transformations in these schools notwithstanding, headmasters are not available in 36 high schools among these high schools for last nine years. These schools are under blocks of Subdega, Rajgangpur,Kuanrmunda, Nuagaon, Lahunipada, Gurundia, Koira, Hemgiri, Lepripara, Balishankara and Kutra of Sundargarh district.
Due to non availability of headmaster of these schools, inexperienced teachers have been assigned to function as headmasters.
The position of headmaster is lying vacant in seven schools in Rajgangpur block since long. In Rourkela, there is no headmaster in Government schools at Panposh and Basanti Colony.
Similarly, there is no headmaster in high schools at Kacharu, Kadobahal, Dhangirnacha, Padampur, Jharbeda and Barabang for last nine years.
There are also about 669 teacher posts lying vacant in various high schools in the district.
“Advertisement for 574 teacher posts were released during the month of August and among the applicants, candidates were provisionally selected through computer based test. Certificate verification of provisionally selected candidates was completed on November 24. So the teachers vacancy problem in district will be solved very soon.” said District Education Officer, Sundargarh Amulya Pradhan.
“The Headmaster posts which are lying vacant in schools too will be filled up through promoted senior teachers and that will be done by Director, Secondary Education,” informed Pradhan.
Significantly, the 67 transformed high schools of Sundargarh district had been dedicated by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on November 11 under 5T initiative through video conference.
