Satara ZP: NCP-SP slams teacher shortage at model schools

Lakhs of rupees are being spent on model schools at Angapur, Varye and Apshinge under the Varne group of Satara Zilla Parishad, but the schools do not have enough teachers to teach the children. The allegation was made by Pravin Dhaske, state general secretary of the Nationalist Congress Party Sharadchandra Pawar faction, at a press conference on Thursday. He warned that if teachers were not provided to the three schools soon, an intense agitation would be launched.

According to Dhaske, 468 children study at the Apshinge school, about 200 at Angapur and 250 at the Varne school. The three schools together need a total of nine teachers for this number of students, but only five teachers are actually working. He said this is directly affecting the quality of the children's education.

Dhaske said the issue is not new. He said he raised it twice before Zilla Parishad chief executive officer Yashni Nagrajan at meetings of the Disha Samiti. He also raised the demand for teachers with primary education officer Naikwadi at three separate meetings. But he said no action has been taken so far.

Dhaske also raised the point that although the three schools are included in the Zilla Parishad's Smart School scheme, they have not even been given a centre head or an extension officer. He asked why, when lakhs of rupees are being spent on the schools' physical infrastructure, the education department does not bear the responsibility of also providing teaching staff.

He also questioned the functioning of the Zilla Parishad chief executive officer, alleging that officials do not even dare to go into her cabin. Dhaske demanded that rural development minister Jaykumar Gore take note of the matter, remove Naikwadi from the post and appoint a responsible education officer instead.

Dhaske said the three schools had received about Rs 50 lakh in funding through CSR, but the names of the individuals or organisations that gave the funds are not recorded anywhere at the schools. He demanded that chief executive officer Yashni Nagrajan personally investigate the tender process carried out during the administrator's tenure.

Dhaske made clear that if these demands are not acted upon soon, an intense agitation will be held against the Zilla Parishad. He also announced that he would fight a legal battle to protect the Zilla Parishad's land in Satara city.