What’s Behind the Declining Enrollment at Khandual Government High School?

Khandual Government Upgraded High School in Sambalpur is facing a significant drop in student enrollment due to inadequate infrastructure and a shortage of teachers. Established over a century ago, the school has seen its student body shrink from over 350 to just 195. With classrooms in disrepair and a lack of vocational education, the situation has prompted complaints to local officials, yet no action has been taken. The headmaster and school management committee are calling for urgent repairs and additional staff to address these pressing issues. Despite recent improvements under the 5T Initiative, fundamental challenges remain, affecting the quality of education for students.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 8, 2026, 11:08 IST

Khandual Government High School Faces Enrollment Crisis

By Pramod Kumar Bohidar

Sambalpur: Khandual Government Upgraded High School, a 112-year-old institution under the Sambalpur Municipal Corporation, is experiencing a significant decline in student enrollment due to inadequate infrastructure and a lack of teachers.

Originally established as a primary school in 1914, it was elevated to an upper primary school in 1976 and achieved high school status in 2008. Currently, the school accommodates 195 students from Sishu Vatika to Class X.

Students hail from over eight nearby villages, including Maneswar, Khandual, Mathapali, Naksapali, Gunderpur, Bargaon, and Chhatabar. However, the deteriorating infrastructure is driving students away.

Once boasting more than 350 students, the enrollment has been on a steady decline. Four out of the eight classrooms, along with the teachers’ common room, are in unsafe condition.

Classes for Sishu Vatika and Grades I and II are combined in one room, while Grades IV and V share another. Only Classes VI through X have separate classrooms. The teacher shortage is alarming, with just two teachers available for 77 primary-level students, severely impacting foundational education. Although the school has a computer room with ten desktops, there is no designated computer teacher.

Additionally, students lack access to vocational and physical education instructors. The school does not have a playground or an auditorium. In 2022, the school underwent transformation under the 5T Initiative, costing approximately Rs 55 lakh.

This project introduced two smart classrooms, a science lab, an e-library, computers, and toilets. Despite these enhancements, fundamental infrastructure and staffing issues persist. Some students have expressed concerns about the insufficient number of classrooms and the lack of repairs, making class attendance challenging.

During the rainy season, water leaks through the asbestos roofs, damaging books and study materials, and disrupting lessons. Chandrakanta Dash, chairperson of the school management committee, stated that the shortage of teachers and the poor condition of classrooms are hindering education. She mentioned that complaints have been lodged multiple times with officials, from the Block Development Officer (BDO) to the District Education Officer (DEO), but no action has been taken.

She urged for immediate repairs to the existing infrastructure and the hiring of additional teachers. Headmaster Kulamani Das noted that the school has repeatedly communicated the need for new classrooms, a playground, and more teachers to the BDO, DEO, and other senior officials, yet the issues remain unresolved.

DEO Lakshman Bhoi assured that infrastructure development and repairs would commence soon. Following the Collector's directive, a senior technical consultant will assess the school, after which necessary infrastructure improvements will be funded through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) or other government resources.

Bhoi added that no separate position has been allocated for a computer teacher, so current teachers have been trained to provide computer education. Maneswar BEO Lokita Dash stated she had not received any formal complaints regarding the school's condition, emphasizing that infrastructure development is the responsibility of the school management committee. If they submit a written proposal or complaint, it will be forwarded to the District Project Coordinator and district Collector for necessary action.