A protest at Upgraded Middle School Guigaon in West Singhbhum has drawn attention to a teacher shortage affecting 178 students, with only two teachers managing classes I to VIII for the past several months.
Parents, villagers, students and members of the school management committee staged the protest on Friday at the school in Gulkeda panchayat of Chakradharpur block. They demanded that the administration appoint more teachers and withdraw the deputation of two staff members currently assigned to other schools.
According to the report, four teachers are officially posted at the school, but two were deputed elsewhere about three months ago. The remaining two teachers have been handling all eight classes. The shortage has particularly affected 97 students studying in classes VI to VIII.
Residents said written complaints had already been submitted to district education officials, but alleged that no corrective action had followed. The protest was organised to bring the situation to the administration’s attention and seek the restoration of adequate teaching staff.
“Shortage of teachers has adversely affected the studies of children. Despite having 178 students, the school has been functioning with just two teachers for several months,” Gulkeda mukhiya Laxmi Kerai said.
School management committee chairperson Sukhlal Jarika said the protest was intended to highlight the difficulties faced by students and press for an early resolution. Protesters specifically demanded that the two teachers’ deputation be withdrawn and that sufficient staff be provided at the school.
The response from the district education administration remained unclear. District education officer Prince Kumar said he was unaware of the matter, while district superintendent of education Praveen Kumar could not be reached despite repeated attempts, according to the report.
The protesters’ demands now rest on the education department’s decision on the deputation of the two teachers and the appointment or deployment of additional staff at the school.
