School in Boko running without teachers

FROM A CORRESPONDENT

Boko, Feb 6: Even though as per the Right to Education Act, all schools have to maintain a healthy pupil-teacher ratio in schools, the implementation of the Act has been a far cry for the Kingaon ME School here. According to RTE Act, for every 30 students, there should be at least one teacher.

But the district administration has failed to provide sufficient staff in the Kingaon ME School even after several representations from villagers. There is only one teacher in the school, who has to teach over 50 students in three classes of the school.  

Sources said in the absence of the lone teacher, the chowkidar of the school has to teach the students.

Chowkidar Columbus D Sangma has to act as headmaster, class teacher and chowkidar of the school simultaneously.

It may be mentioned that there are a total of six sanctioned posts including headmaster and one for Grade IV in the school.

But against the six posts, four teachers have already retired and one was transferred. But the vacant posts have not been filled up till today.

Due to lack of teachers in the school, students have either dropped out or attend another school in the neighbouring village.

Margaret Rose Marak, former Headmistress said that now there are only 50 students, but earlier the number of students was around 100.

“As there is a shortage of teachers, most of the students get admitted to private school and ultimately they are dropped out as most of them are from poor family or belonging to BPL category,” she said.

Another social worker from the area said that Government has completely neglected the schools of the area.

He said the government needs to address the problem soon and the only solution is to appoint permanent teachers to fill the vacant posts.