How a Village School Survives Without Teachers: A Tale of Resilience

A School in Crisis

Simulia: In a surprising turn of events, Surendra Smruti Upper Primary School in Ramabindha village, located in the Simulia block of Balasore district, has been operating without any officially appointed teachers for several months. This situation is not a mere figure of speech.

Since November 2024, this school has been entirely devoid of teachers. Founded in 1995, it previously had two staff members: assistant teacher Ramakant Nayak, who retired on June 30, 2024, and headmaster Madan Mohan Panda, who left on November 30, 2024.

Despite the lack of action from the government, classes continue in rundown classrooms with asbestos and thatch roofs, thanks to the goodwill of teachers from the nearby Ramabindha Government Primary School.

These dedicated educators, after fulfilling their own teaching responsibilities, volunteer their time to ensure that the students do not fall behind.

Satyanarayan Malik, a teacher at the primary school, stated, "We are doing our best to manage the situation. In addition to providing midday meals, we have taken on the responsibility of teaching these students as well."

They receive no extra pay or formal acknowledgment, only a sense of duty that seems to be lacking among higher authorities.

Parents are advocating for the school to be merged with the nearby primary school and upgraded, a sensible request that often gets lost in bureaucratic processes.

Repeated requests to local legislators and education officials have gone unanswered.

One concerned parent expressed, "How can our children take exams without regular teachers? Is this how the government prepares future citizens?" The Education Department, however, insists it has fulfilled its obligations.

Assistant Block Education Officer (ABEO) Bidyadhar Mahalik confirmed that the matter was communicated to the state Director of Education through Letter No. 1742, dated July 14, 2025.

Now, the system remains in limbo, as it frequently does, awaiting directives from higher authorities.