Seven primary schools weighed down by 2 bosses

PARADIP: Dual administration has hit primary education in Ersama block. The problem plagues seven schools of the block that fall under Jagatsinghpur education district instead of Tirtol education district as is the case with the remaining schools here. Two supervising authorities have made things difficult for the staff of these schools with them having to approach two block offices to get things done. While the headmasters and teachers of these schools receive salary, training and other services from Balikuda block which is under Jagatsinghpur education district, for mid-day meal, study materials and other development work the school authorities need to contact Ersama block under Tirtol education district. This, they alleged, has affected development work of the schools. The seven schools are Kunarbedi Primary School, Salio Primary School, Ghosaghar Primary School under Goda panchayat and Kanjiakana Primary School, Ghoradhia Primary School, Ghadamall Primary School and Kanapada Primary School under Somapur panchayat.  All the primary schools of Jagatsinghpur, Balikuda, Nuagaon and Biridi blocks are under Jagatsinghpur education district while those in Tirtol, Kujang, Ersama and Raghunathpur blocks are under Tirtol education district. Realising the problem, Paradip legislator Damodar Rout raised the issue at the recent committee meeting of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) held at Jagatsinghpur. He wanted these schools be placed under Tirtol education district to streamline things and improve primary education in Ersama block. Local legislator Bishnu Das said the State Government would sanction funds for maintenance of buildings and cyclone shelters at the schools funded by various organisations and industries. Das demanded  inclusion of 33 primary schools, left out of the provision, under the SSA scheme. FUNDS SANCTIONED: Meanwhile, the Centre has sanctioned ` 61.50 crore for improving primary education in the district under SSA.It has been decided to construct buildings for 179 schools, additional buildings for 147 primary schools, 1,002 and 1,304 toilets for girls and physically challenged students respectively. As many as 313 ramps would also be constructed for the disabled. Collector Narayan Chandra Jena, who presided over the meeting, suggested that toilets for the physically challenged be constructed near the classrooms.He also asked the authorities concerned to fence off vegetable gardens at schools.MLA Rabi Bhoi, SSA District Project Co-ordinator Nirmal Chandra Das and CI of Schools Prasant Kumar Swain were present.