Ex-students take classes

Raiganj: The headmistress of a prominent girls' school located in Islampur town has been asked to explain why she has engaged five former students to take classes.

Jagaddhatri Sarkar has said has cited an acute shortage of teachers. Officials of the education department have, however, termed her decision "unethical" and said she would be show-caused.

The Islampur Girls' High School, located in the heart of Islampur town, is a reputable institution in the district and the region. For past few years, students of the school have been securing positions in the state, both in Madhyamik and the Higher Secondary examination.

"There are 2,100 students in the school. Even five years back, we had around 50 teachers but many of them have retired and right now, there are only 28. We have written to the education department seeking more teachers," said the headmistress.

According to Sarkar, she had invited some of the former students and requested them to help as classes were becoming irregular due to paucity of the teachers.

"They responded voluntarily. Five of them, right now, take classes in different standards without any remuneration. I took the step as otherwise we cannot conduct regular classes of all standards every day. I might have flouted any rule for this decision but it was made for the interests of students," added Sarkar.

Residents of Islampur said situation has become so acute that while admission, the teachers have advised some of the guardians to admit their daughters in some other institution to reduce the pressure.

"Unless more teachers are posted at the school, the problem will remain. We fail to understand why the district education department is focussing on the engagement of former students as they have extended voluntary service. Instead, the officials should expedite the process of recruiting more teachers for betterment of the institution," said a retired schoolteacher.

Pampa Aich, a former student who has responded to the headmistress' call, said they considered a responsibility to stand by the school during such crisis.

"I have finished graduation and have been preparing for competitive exams. I was approached by the school and agreed to take classes free of cost," she said.

But Rabindranath Mondal, the district inspector of schools (secondary) of the district, said inviting former students to hold classes free of cost was a violation of rules and norms.

"The headmistress has made an unethical move. We have called her at my office, seeking her explanation. Also, a show-cause notice would be served as why steps will not be taken against her," said Mondal.#