Assam: Dhubri school teachers 'forced' to borrow food supplies for mid-day meal, stage pen-down protest

The teaching staff at Dhubri Government Girls Higher Secondary School have been compelled to take drastic measures due to the Education Department’s failure to appoint a Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO). 

For the past one month and a half, the school has been operating without a DDO, resulting in the non-payment of both teacher salaries and crucial funds for the midday meal program.

The situation escalated on Tuesday, August 13 when 32 teachers and 8 non-teaching staff members of the school staged a pen-down protest, bringing educational activities to a standstill for the 625 students enrolled at the institution. 

This drastic step was taken in response to the ongoing neglect by the Department of Secondary Education, which has failed to appoint a new Principal or DDO following the retirement of the previous Principal on June 30.

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Teachers revealed that the absence of a DDO has forced them to borrow food supplies on credit, amounting to approximately Rs 2,000 per day, to ensure the continuation of the midday meal program for students. 

Despite their dedication, the teachers have not received their salaries for July, further exacerbating their financial burden.

The crisis has left the school in a state of turmoil, with students bearing the brunt of the department's negligence. According to government regulations, only a Principal or an Inspector of Schools is authorized to assume the role of DDO. 

However, the failure to appoint either has plunged the school into a dire situation, jeopardizing both the educational and nutritional needs of its students.

This incident highlights a glaring oversight within the Education Department, raising serious concerns about the management and support of educational institutions in the region. 

As the situation at Dhubri Government Girls Higher Secondary School worsens, the need for immediate intervention from higher authorities becomes increasingly urgent.