Curse to Work at Ekalavya Model Schools?

By Rakesh Gupta: To impart better and quality education to the schedule tribe children of our state, OMTES (Odisha Model Tribal Education Society) runs as many as 13 Ekalabya Model Residential schools in 11 educationally backward districts in the state. All these schools are founded by Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, but the state government takes care of running the schools.

The infrastructure of these model schools are designed with high class, which comprises vast area for schools, well furnished class rooms, separate hostels for boys and girls, well furnished staff quarters, computer labs with internet connection, huge play ground and what not.

One such school is situated at Hirli in Nabarangpur District. This ISO 9001 certified school has a student strength of about 400 students studying from class 6th to 12th. However, the future of this model school is at stake due to the uncertain future of the teaching staff.

Some teachers and staffs have been working in this school on contractual basis for last 9 years but there is no sign from the state government to regularize their posts. The Government of Odisha took a decision to regularize all the contractual teachers who have worked for 6 years, but OMTES is not implementing this decision to the Model school staff.

With the fear of the uncertain future, nearly 15 teachers have already quit the Model school’s job and joined as the Sikshya Sahayak under Mass education. Some other staffs, who want to leave their job are unable to do so as their age is baring them for any other government job. They are now in mental stigma about their future.

Under such circumstances where the future of the staff is uncertain, the future of the students can be understood. Hence, the government should regularize the contractual staff as soon as possible in order to fulfill the objective of model school and impart quality education to the tribal students.