The Government Senior Secondary School in Lamu, a remote tribal village in Himachal Pradesh’s Chamba district, is on the verge of shutting down due to the transfer of its only teacher. On Tuesday, students of the school staged a protest outside the campus and blocked the Choli-Quarsi road, demanding immediate appointment of teachers.
The school, which was opened five years ago, currently has 32 students in classes 11 and 12. However, the number of students is rapidly decreasing due to a severe lack of staff and proper infrastructure. The Political Science teacher, who was the only staff member managing the school, was recently transferred after a court intervention on his plea, leaving the institution without any teachers.
The protesting students carried wooden plates called ‘Takhi’ with messages demanding the filling of vacant teaching posts and shouted slogans to express their frustration. Parents and local residents also joined the protest, concerned about the future of their children.
Lal Chand, the Sarpanch of Lamu village, said that the shortage of teachers has created a serious crisis for students living in backward tribal regions. He urged the state government to immediately appoint adequate teaching staff to ensure the continuation of education. “Parents are worried because the future of their children is at risk. We need proper staff for this school before it is too late,” he said.
The President of the School Management Committee (SMC), Ashok Kumar, also participated in the protest and expressed disappointment over the government’s negligence. He pointed out that since the school’s inception, only one teacher had been managing all responsibilities, from teaching to administration, which was never a sustainable solution.
When the school first opened, 32 students enrolled in classes 11 and 12. However, due to the lack of teachers and basic facilities, many students have started migrating to other schools, while those from poor families remain stuck with little hope. “We have repeatedly requested the government to fill the vacant posts and provide adequate infrastructure, but nothing has been done,” Ashok Kumar said.
Local BJP MLA Janak Raj also criticized the state government for failing to address the issue. He said that while students from better-off families have moved to other institutions, the underprivileged are suffering due to the lack of proper staff in the school. “The government’s policies are to blame for this situation. If this continues, the school might shut down completely,” he warned.
The MLA added that remote and tribal areas need special attention from the government to retain teachers. “No teacher wants to stay in such isolated areas without proper facilities or incentives,” he said, demanding that the state government review its policy for staff postings in these regions.
ALSO READ: Train has a narrow escape as retaining wall of bridge collapses in Himachal
ALSO READ: New landslides bring traffic to halt on Chandigarh-Manali highway
With no teachers left in the school, the education of the remaining 32 students is now at stake. Parents fear that their children will have to discontinue their studies or travel long distances to other schools. The students themselves have expressed concern over their future, as they face uncertainty regarding classes, exams, and further studies.
The residents of Lamu village have appealed to the education department to urgently send teachers before the new academic session is disrupted. They have also threatened to intensify their protest if their demands are ignored.
The situation highlights the larger problem of teacher shortages in remote tribal belts of Himachal Pradesh. Schools in such areas often face neglect due to difficult terrain, lack of facilities, and poor infrastructure. Activists and education experts say that unless the state government creates a strong policy with better incentives for teachers to work in remote areas, the cycle of staff shortages will continue.
For now, the fate of the Government Senior Secondary School, Lamu, hangs in balance. While students have shown determination by raising their voices, the government’s response will decide whether the school will survive or fall victim to official neglect.
Copyright © © 2022 Copyright. All Rights Reserved with Arth Parkash