Jajpur: The state government’s move to merge schools in proximity has backfired and consequent closure of several of them has forced students to drop out from studies, according to a report.
Notably, the per-capita expense made on students studying in government primary schools of the state has reached `25,041 in 2021-22 FY. However, guardians are unable to repose faith on the state-run schools and hesitate to admit their wards for studies.
Several schools have been shut down in past owing to merger of schools, an initiative undertaken by the state government. As a result, many students have been deprived of their educational rights and forced to abandon their studies. This has led to an increase in number of dropouts instead, the report said Saturday.
As many as six schools have been shut in this district due to the mergers while the concerned guardians have written to the authorities of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) demanding reopening of the closed schools.
According to Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) plus report, dropout rate is on an increase among students from Class-III to Class-X in Jajpur district. As many as 31,836 students were admitted to Class-II in 2021- 22 FY. However, out of them 202 students (0.63 per cent) dropped out in Class-III. Similarly, 567 students in Class-IV, 443 students in Class-V, 772 students in Class-VI, 715 in Class-VII, 991 in Class-VIII, 1,371 in Class-IX and 2,207 students in Class-X left their studies.
Observers said the reason behind the rising dropout rate is the merger of some primary and upper primary schools with their nearest schools in rural areas.
Sources said that the primary school in Sabo village under Barchana block is lying closed following its merger with its nearest school in the neighbouring village situated six to seven km away. With two rivers flowing on both sides of the village, more than 35 students are faced a harrowing time to turn up at the school and have been deprived of primary education.
Villagers Chimanaya Kumar Dalai and others demanded to reopen the school and start classes in their village which will be of benefit to scores of students. Similarly, the school in Akhadadiha village in Balia panchayat of Bari block was shut after its merger. Students in this village are unable to attend classes as the nearest school is about two km from their village.
As a result, children have stopped studying and are wandering aimlessly. Villagers Mahendra Das, Sunakar Jena, Mamata Das, Basant Kumar Das, Nabaghana Das and Narendra Das have demanded to reopening the Akhadadiha Project Primary School.
The primary school at Uttarkhajira village in Barundei panchayat of Korei block is lying closed for the past two years. Villagers Srikant Kumar Sahu, Narayan Swain, Minati Sahu have demanded to reopen the school in the greater interest of the students.
The primary school at Abhayapur village established in 1961 under Dharmasala block has 105 students on its roll. However, students completing Class-V have to travel three km to attend classes in the nearest school to continue their studies.
As a result, many students fail to enroll in Class-VI and subsequently give up their studies. Samiti member Surekha Rout, villagers Abhimanyu Rana, Manoj Rana, Arun Kumar Rana and Bijaya Kumar Rout called for establishment of a nodal primary school in Abhayapur village.
Maa Dheulei Project Primary School was established in 2007 for Totakana and Kainchamalia villages under Dharmasala block. However, it has been shut for the past couple of years. As a result, students have failed to attend classes regularly in the nearby school which is about three km from their village.
Villagers Ranjan Nayak, Dushmant Nayak, Madhusmita Nayak have demanded to reopen the school. The primary school at Kulanarasinghpur village in Patunia panchayat under Dharmasala block has been shut down following a merger.
As a result, over 30 students in the village have to travel on the river embankment in perilous conditions to attend classes at a school in Nachhipur. Villagers Umakant Rout, Abhaya Kumar Samal, Keshav Samal, Ananta Charan Rath have demanded to reopen the school.
Meanwhile, the district education officer has asked the respective block education officers to probe the complaints of the concerned villagers and take necessary steps in this regard.
PNN