Parents lock up school to protest shortage of teacher

Parents of students have locked up a zilla parishad primary school in Kosmi village of Korchi taluka in Maharashtra, for the past ten days, to protest against the administration's alleged negligence in deputing one more teacher.

Parents of the students told reporters here today that the school has only one teacher for four classes, from the first standard to the fourth standard, due to which it is difficult for a single teacher to teach.

The parents had submitted a memorandum to the Block Development Officer and the Block Education Officer of Korchi to appoint one more teacher on August 11. They had also threatened to lock the school if a teacher is not appointed immediately.

After officials paid no heed to their demand, parents locked up the school on August 14. Since then, the school remains closed but no teacher has been appointed yet, even as students continue to suffer, villagers told reporters.

The only teacher reaches school everyday and goes back because it has been locked. No official or public representative has visited this school yet and parents are angry.

When asked to comment about this situation, Zilla Parishad Education Officer Ulhas Narad claimed that he is out of the district for the last five days and he had no any idea about the situation.

"I will look into the matter after coming back," he said. Block Education Officer of Korchi Suvarna Dantade claimed that she has sought permission from higher authorities to shift one teacher from another school and would be able to appoint an additional teacher after permission is granted.

She admitted that the Kosmi village school needs one more teacher. The school management committee members have demanded early appointment of a teacher to avoid academic loss to students.