Village school teacher remains absent, hires boy for teaching

A teacher of a government school at a village in Maharashtra, in which three police jawans were killed during a landmine blast triggered by Naxals last week, has allegedly hired a 10th standard pass boy for teaching even as the former remains absent from his duty.

The matter came to light on Thursday during a visit to the Motha Zalia village under Korchi taluka of the district when the villagers alleged that a 10th class pass boy had been hired by a regular school teacher to teach the 18 odd students studying in the zila parishad primary school.

Sources said the teacher appointed at the school rarely turned up, except for signing the attendance record while he had hired a village boy to render services.

To add to the woes of the students, no classes were being held since the blast on October 16 damaged the school premises and no alternative arrangements have been made so far, village's ex-sarpanch Tanu Hurra said.

Even some children studying at the school admitted that they have not been going to the school as it has been shut since October 17.

When contacted, education officer R S Uke said the block education officer has been asked to make alternative arrangements of the school.

Asked about a boy being hired by the school teacher for teaching when he himself remains absent, Uke said they would inquire the matter.

A villager, Ramsingh, claimed that no official has so far turned up to see the precarious condition of the school.