BARIPADA: Videos of an assistant teacher of Kalamgadia UGME School engaging students in personal and hostel chores went viral on social media, creating widespread resentment among parents and guardians of Kaptipada sub-division in Mayurbhanj district on Monday.
In three viral videos, the assistant teacher, identified as Rabindra Kumar Behera and also superintendent of the school hostel, is seen engaging minor students to fetch firewood for cooking and clean utensils besides sleeping during a class in the schoolroom. On Sunday, a video of Behera getting a massage from minor students inside a classroom had gone viral on social media.
Some students on condition of anonymity said the teacher sleeping inside the classroom is a common affair. If any student wakes or disturbs Behera in his sleep, he/she is punished for the act, they alleged.
Sources said though a peon and other staff have been provided to look after the hostel chores, the superintendent-cum-assistant teacher makes students bring firewood from the nearby market by rickshaw and clean soiled utensils after dinner and lunch.
Moreover, he forces students to give him massage during classes and even in hostel during the night, the sources added. “We dare not say anything to the teacher in fear of punishment,” said the students. Five to six students are engaged in massaging Behera and cleaning utensils on a regular basis, they alleged.
The hostel inmates also alleged that they were getting insufficient food in breakfast, lunch and dinner. Despite several requests to the school headmaster, no steps have been taken in this regard. Due to the fear of punishment, the boarders are unwilling to take up the matter with the hostel superintendent.
As many as 165 students are enrolled in Class I to VII in the school. Around 40 students upto Class V are residing in the hostel which is under the control of District Welfare Department.
Contacted, District Welfare Officer Krupasindhu Behera said he will take up the matter with the Collector and request him to order a probe into the incidents. Action will be taken if the teacher is found guilty, he added.