Jajpur, April 29: Students, their guardians and local residents today locked up Darshan High School, a government-run secondary school at Rasulpur block, demanding the immediate appointment of teachers.

“More than 200 students are enrolled in the high school that has three classes and six sections. But the school is running with just four teachers. There is just one regular teacher while the others are contractual ones. Also, the school has been running without a headmaster for the last couple of months,” said Sridhar Sahu, who led the agitation.

“Academic activities in the school have almost stopped due to shortage of teachers. Of the four teachers, one is on maternity leave and another is a physical education instructor, who is now the acting headmaster. The remaining two contractual teachers are unable to take care of all the students,” said Anirudha Prusty, a guardian.

“We demand immediate appointment of regular teachers in the school,” he said.

Darshan High School is one of the oldest schools at Rasulpur block.

“We had intimated authorities concerned about the school’s problems. But, nobody paid any attention to our grievances. The callous attitude of the authorities has forced us to take this step. We will not call off our agitation before the authorities resolve the problem,” said Mahendra Kumar Sahu, a local resident.

Headmaster in charge Santilata Behera said: “I reached the school around 6.30am and found the local residents and students protesting. The school gate locked and they stopped us from entering the school.”

“I am aware of the problem of Darshan High School. Adequate number of teachers will be posted there soon,” district education officer Kapilendra Mishra said.