Rayagada: The education system in Rayagada district is facing disruption as 431 teachers, spread across 11 blocks, are on long-term deputation, leaving the schools they were originally assigned to understaffed. Government guidelines state that deputations should only occur in urgent situations and must receive prior approval from the District Collector. While these teachers are supposed to return to their initial postings shortly, many, particularly those who were appointed in rural schools between 2013 and 2015, have reportedly extended their deputations to urban areas.
The number of deputed teachers in each block is significant, with the following figures: Kashipur (79), Muniguda (41), Kolnara (35), Kalyansinghpur (56), Chandrapur (32), Bissamkatak (21), Gunupur (20), Padmapur (27), Rayagada (95), Ramanaguda (18), and Gudari (7). Many of these deputations, according to sources, were carried out without following the correct procedure. Some teachers on deputation are allegedly prioritizing administrative tasks or participating in government committees over their primary teaching responsibilities.
This situation has caused considerable frustration among locals, with Rayagada MLA Appalaswamy Kadraka raising the issue in the Assembly. Despite this, no decisive action has been taken by the relevant authorities. District Education Officer Basanta Kumar Nayak explained that the deputations were made to address specific school needs, with the proper permissions obtained. However, this has sparked widespread concern, and calls for accountability are growing. Stakeholders are urging the government to ensure a fair distribution of teachers, with an emphasis on the educational needs of rural children.
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