Students of the government-run Kandarapatia primary school in Kendrapara district's Mahakalpada block attend classes under trees. Telegraph picture

Kendrapara, March 30: Due to tussle between political parties, a seaside village school in the district remains closed and children are being imparted teaching in the open.

Taking a cue from ancient gurukul school, the shades of roadside tree have turned into temporary classrooms.

The school and mass education department here has ordered a probe into the matter. “We have received the report of the Kandarapatia project primary school being locked up by a section of villagers. The concerned teachers have informed us of the incident. As parents want to send their wards to the school, the teachers are left with no option but to hold classes under roadside trees”, said Gobinda Chandra Pati, the district inspector of schools.

A team of officials of schools and mass education department has rushed to the village to end the deadlock and unlock the school building for the smooth conduct of classroom teaching, Pati added.

The incident is a fallout of divergent political affiliation among the villagers.

“It’s indeed shocking to see that the local school has become a victim of the feud,' he said.

“A few days ago, goons cut down a tree from near the school premises. It infuriated some of the local settlers who suddenly entered the school and locked the building and driving away the children from the classrooms. We had registered our protest. But it was of no avail,” informed Ujjwal Mandal, headmaster, Kandarapatia project primary school.

“On the basis of an FIR, we have registered a case in connection with the incident. Political differences provoked the forcible shutdown of the school.

The matter is under investigation. Police are ready to assist the schools and mass education department officials to unlock of the school building,” said Hrushikesh Nayak, inspector, Kharinasi Marine police station.