MYAGDI: Protesting the absence of a science teacher since November last year in the school, Sishu Kalyan Secondary School students have padlocked the school indefinitely from today. Teaching and learning activities of the schools have been halted after the students padlocked the school.

Dinesh Rokka, a ninth grader, said they were compelled to padlock the school as the administration remained indifferent in filling the vacant post for a long time. Students appearing for the SLC this year have appealed to the agitating students to give up their protest. The agitators, however, fended off saying that they would not give up until the school administration manages a science teacher. Subarna Biswakarma, another ninth grader, said that their studies had been affected for lack of the subject teacher.

Meanwhile, the school administration and management committee claimed that no application had been received for the post though they had announced the vacancy. Headmaster Khagendra Sapkota assured that he would manage the teacher within two days.

According to Prem Bahadur Rokka, chairman, school management committee, the agitating students did not agree to continue the studies of other subjects until the arrival of the subject teacher. Dillaraman Bhattarai, officer, District Education Office, said that the responsibility of the overall administration of the school rested with the school management committee. He maintained that there were a very few people with science background and as such, it was difficult to find one for the school.