What’s Holding Back Bankatira High School? Unfinished Projects and Staff Shortages

Bankatira High School in Bhadrak district is grappling with significant challenges, including incomplete development projects and a shortage of staff. Despite government funding aimed at improving educational facilities, the school lacks essential infrastructure such as adequate classrooms, toilets, and drinking water. With a history spanning 38 years, the school currently serves 148 students but faces serious safety and educational quality issues. Parents and school officials are calling for urgent action to address these problems, emphasizing the need for a better academic environment to enhance student learning. Read on to learn more about the situation and the responses from local authorities.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 29, 2026, 09:35 IST

Challenges Faced by Bankatira High School

By Bikash Kumar Dhal, OP

Banta: Despite significant government investments aimed at enhancing educational facilities, a lack of proactive measures from officials has resulted in numerous unfinished projects at Bankatira High School, located in the Kadabarang panchayat of Bhadrak district's Banta block.

The institution suffers from inadequate classrooms, insufficient toilets, and a lack of drinking water, which severely impacts the learning environment. Established in 1987, the school has been operational for 38 years and currently serves 148 students across three grades.

Classes VIII and IX are squeezed into just two classrooms, while 56 students in Class X are forced to learn in a hazardous building with an asbestos roof. Due to the classroom shortage, the school's administrative office is temporarily housed in a room belonging to the middle English school. The staff comprises four teachers and one fourth-grade employee.

There are unfilled positions for two Trained Graduate (Arts) teachers, as well as vacancies for Hindi and physical education instructors. Additionally, the school requires an office assistant and two more fourth-grade staff members. The absence of drinking water facilities and adequate toilets for both students and teachers is a pressing concern.

The lack of a permanent boundary wall allows animals and unauthorized individuals to enter the school grounds, creating safety hazards. The playground is in disrepair, and the school lacks a science lab and essential equipment. Under the 5T initiative, Rs 40 lakh was allocated to the BDO's account in the 2021-22 fiscal year for the construction of two classrooms, a science lab, and an e-library. An additional Rs 5 lakh was designated for related expenses to the headmaster's account.

Unfortunately, these funds have not been utilized, leaving the projects incomplete. As a result, Class VIII students often find themselves sitting on the floor during lessons. Parent Niranjan Barik expressed that he enrolled his son in Class VIII due to the teachers' dedication and enthusiasm, but he believes that addressing the school's fundamental issues could lead to significant improvements.

Ramesh Chandra Pahi, president of the school management committee, criticized the block administration for failing to complete development projects despite the availability of funds, raising concerns about the department's effectiveness and its impact on students' futures.

Staff shortages remain a significant barrier, and he called for immediate, permanent solutions. Headmaster Brahmananda Bhuyan noted that the lack of staff and a conducive academic environment is detrimental to educational quality. He highlighted that a student achieved an A1 grade in last year's matriculation exam, bringing recognition to the school at the block level.

Bhuyan emphasized that filling vacant positions could further enhance educational standards. BDO Sitakanta Rout acknowledged the various development challenges at the high school and promised that measures would be taken to address them promptly. Bhadrak's Additional District Education Officer, Jagabandhu Sahu, confirmed that the department is aware of the issues and is committed to resolving them with students' futures in mind.