Villagers lock government school over absent headmaster since 5 years

Parents and villagers in Purdoha, Purulia, locked the gates of Purdoha Primary School on Monday, protesting the headmaster’s absence for the past five years. The school, located under Boro Police Station, has been operating with only two teachers, severely impacting education and administrative work. Villagers claim that the absence of leadership has caused numerous disruptions, including delays in verifying student documents.

Headmaster Binoy Mahato, identified as the appointed headmaster, has reportedly not been attending the school regularly. Many students and parents said they do not recognize him, as he has not been a visible presence in the school for years. Complaints regarding his absence were submitted multiple times to the Sub-Inspector of Schools (SI), but no action has been taken so far. Villagers allege that their grievances have been ignored, leading to Monday’s protest.

During the protest, Mahato appeared at the school and attributed his absence to health issues. He stated, “I do visit occasionally,” and claimed that he had informed higher authorities about his condition. Mahato also mentioned that he was permitted by the authorities to attend the school sporadically. However, the protestors claimed they were not informed of any such arrangement, and no alternative arrangements were made for regular school functioning.

Villagers demanded an immediate resolution to the issue, emphasizing the need for a full-time headmaster to manage both academic and administrative duties. They warned of escalating protests if the authorities fail to take prompt action to address the ongoing crisis. The protest brought attention to the prolonged administrative neglect, highlighting the adverse effects on students’ education and the school’s functioning.