A government higher primary school in Mariyala has drawn zero new admissions this academic year, with parents citing internal conflicts among staff and poor infrastructure as key reasons. The school, equipped with seven classrooms, two teachers, and two midday meal workers, has failed to attract even a single student since reopening after summer break.
Last year, the school had 26 students enrolled. But this year, parents are increasingly choosing private institutions, saying the government school suffers from serious neglect—no cleanliness, no drinking water, and no proper classes being held.
A major factor behind the decline is an ongoing feud between the teachers. The situation reportedly escalated to such a degree that the headmistress, Susheela, had to seek police protection. She revealed, “I was assaulted in January over a document issue and haven’t returned to the village since.”
Local resident Lingappa voiced community concerns: “Those who can afford it have moved their kids to private schools. But what about poor families? The teachers must be transferred, and the education department needs to act fast to fix this.”
With six students having graduated and others applying for transfer certificates, the school teeters on the edge of complete shutdown, unless urgent intervention is made.