Ignorant UP school principal thrown out

In an incident reflective of the poor state of primary education in Uttar Pradesh, principal of an upper primary school in Baharaich district, about 200 km from here, was handed over compulsory retirement after she failed to answer what education officials termed a “simple fifth standard question.”

According to reports, Bahabunnisha, the principal  of the school at Maraucha, was found sitting idle when a district “basic shiksha adhikari (BSA)” arrived suddenly for an inspection on Thursday.

In her defence, the principal told the official that she had just finished teaching students a lesson on agriculture.

She, however, could not answer when the official asked her to explain a particular word mentioned in the lesson meant for fifth standard students.

“The principal even failed to explain the meaning of the term,” said officials who accompanied the BSA.

The angry BSA immediately served a notice for compulsory retirement to the principal, reports said.

The BSA, who also inspected several other primary schools in the district, issued show-cause notices to many teachers for being absent without prior intimation.

Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati had also suspended many primary teachers after receiving complaints from students.

The incident reflects the sorry state of affairs of primary education in the state. While there is an acute shortage of teachers, many schools exist only on paper.

Several schools operate from one room. In many cases, the students are found studying under trees. The school buildings are often in a dilapidated condition.