Though the overall school education scenario in Odisha is improving, yet the situation in core areas of western Odisha districts like Bargarh, Balangir, Nuapada and Kalahandi reveals a gloomy picture.
Attributing the dismaying trend in the school education system to huge gap between teacher-student ratio as one of the prime reasons, Vidya Bharati president Dr Banchhanidhi Panda here on Friday stated that as per a recent report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), there was a school at Gourchala in Balangir district where only one teacher is engaged for as many as 272 students. Moreover, in another school in the same district, the teacher-student ratio stands at 1:72.
This shows lack of efficient supervisory system and motivating teachers in the schools, lamented Panda, who pressed for quality education and efficiency of teachers.
Highlighting some infrastructural developments in the sector, Odisha Primary Education Programme Authority (OPEPA) State Project Director Mahendra Kumar Mallick said, “In view of most of the parents in western Odisha regions like Kalahandi, Balangir, Bargarh and Nuapada migrating outside the State for livelihood, we have recently opened more than 1,000 seasonal hostels for students with all facilities.”
Addressing a panel discussion on ‘Education for all: Prospects and Challenges’ organised by the Bansidhar and Ila Panda Foundation here, he also informed that Odisha is the third State to construct 40,000 toilets in schools under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. “Keeping in view the language barrier of the 23 per cent population belonging to ST community in the State, the State Government has implemented open multi-lingual education system in tribal districts and engaged 3,500 odd teachers having proficiency in languages like Santhali, Soura and Bonda,” he informed.
Besides, experts discussed on agendas like quality education, role of technology and improvement in payment for teachers, etc. Foundation chief Shaifalika Panda also spoke.
