Bhubaneswar, April 29: The most frequent complaint received on the student helpline, which was launched by the school and mass education department in October last year, is poor quality of teaching. The toll free number, 1800 345 6722, introduced to bail out students undergoing mental, physical or sexual harassment at schools or hostels has so far received a total of 2,436 calls from across schools in the state.

A review conducted by the department today brought forward interesting details on this grievance redressal mechanism, which has been gaining popularity among students and parents.

The helpline received 242 calls with complaints regarding bad teaching and 203 calls on shortage of teachers. Similarly, there were 242 complaints on corporal punishment and 129 relating to civil work.

Around 40 calls related to drinking water problems, 43 relating to scholarships, 57 relating to unauthorised collection of money and 21 relating to harassment of girls were received. Also, there were 20 calls regarding private tuition, 81 on shortage of books, 24 on absence of toilets, 46 on non-availability of uniforms, 16 relating to admissions and 407 other miscellaneous complaints.

“At least 265 calls related to mid-day meals have been transferred to the to the women and child development department and 17 cases have been forwarded to the SC/ST development department,” said a senior official in the department.

Around 73 calls included suggestions, congratulations and thanks from the callers.

Parents have frequently used the helpline. Around 1,573 calls were made by parents and 212 by the school management comiteees and village education committees. Only 531 calls were made directly by students.

“To popularise it, the toll free number has been written in prominent places in all the schools, including private schools. The toll free number can be accessed from 8 am to 8 pm on every working day. The response has been overwhelming,” said an official in the department.

Around 1,835 calls were received from elementary level schools, while 601 complaints were from the secondary level schools. While the maximum number of calls (288) were received from Cuttack, there were least number of calls from Jharsuguda (7).

Following complaints received on the helpline and the following inquiry initiated by the department, salary of 212 teachers has been withheld, 32 have been suspended and 7 have been disengaged.

Priya Abraham

Bhubaneswar, April 29: ‘Bad teaching’ has been the most frequent complaint received on the student helpline launched by the school and mass education department in October last year.

The toll free number 1800 345 6722 introduced to bail out students undergoing mental, physical or sexual harassment at schools or hostels has so far received a total of 2436 calls from across schools in the state.

A review conducted by the department today brought forward interesting details on this grievance redressal mechanism that has been gaining popularity among students and parents alike.

The helpline received 242 calls with complaints of bad teaching and 203 calls on shortage of teachers. Similarly there were 242 complaints on corporal punishment and 129 relating to civil work.

As many as 40 calls relating to drinking water, 43 relating to scholarship , 57 relating to unauthorized collection of money and 21 relating to harassment of girls. Also there were 20 calls on private tuition, 81 on shortage of books, 24 on absence of toilets, 46 on non availability of uniforms, 16 relating to admissions and 407 other miscellaneous complaints.

“At least 265 calls relating to mid day meals have been transferred to the to the Women and Child Development department and 17 cases have been forwarded to the SC ST development department,” informed a senior official in the department.

About 73 calls included suggestions, congratulations and thanks from the callers.

Interestingly parents have more frequently used the helpline. As many as 1573 calls were made by parents and 212 by the school management comiteees and village education committees. Only 531 calls were made directly by students.

“To popularize the toll free number, it has been written in prominent places in all the schools, including private schools. The toll free number can be accessed from 8 am to 8 pm every working da. The response has been overwhelming”, said officials in the department.

As many as 1835 calls were received from elementary level schools while 601 complaints were from the secondary level schools. While the maximum number of calls( 288 ) were received from Cuttack, there were least number of calls from Jharsuguda (7).

Following complaints received on the helpline and the following inquiry initiated by the department salary of 212 teachers has been withheld, 32 have been suspended and 7 have been disengaged.