Siraha, February 24

Teaching learning activities in Bhokraha Basic Level School at Bhokraha of Kalyanpur Municipality, Siraha, have been affected as the head teacher is seldom found in the school.

Parents complained that he was often found drunk at local taverns during school hours. According to parents, school head teacher Kari Sah drinks alcohol from early morning and abstains from reporting to duty. “Whenever head teacher Sah is in school, he is in a drunken stupor,” parents said.

Source person at the municipality Bhagawan Babu Sah said head teacher Sah’s irresponsible behaviour had adversely affected the school’s functioning. “I have met Sah in drunken state many times,” Bhagawan Babu said, adding, “I sought clarification repeatedly but to no avail.”

Municipality level education committee Coordinator Rajeswor Yadav said he found the school closed during inspection. Yadav said he had directed the education department to halt salary after parents’ complaints.

The school has a head teacher, two teachers and one facilitator of Child Development Centre. One of the parents Binda Mandal bemoaned the lack of regular classes in the school. “This state of affairs was reported to the concerned authority at the municipality, but nothing changed. Our children spend their time playing at home,” Mandal added.

The school runs classes up to Grade V and has around 60 students. Many have quit studies for want of regular classes. Kalyanpur Municipality administrative officer Badri Narayan Yadav said he would take stock of the situation and take action pronto.

(A view of Bhokraha Basic School that is on the verge of closing down due to irregularity on the part of the head teacher in Kalyanpur Municipality, Siraha, on Sunday.