In a distressing turn of events, the Idpala Mundutala Primary School in Ghatal, West Medinipur, has been without a teacher for the past 15 days. With the school’s only teacher on maternity leave and no substitute or temporary replacement provided, approximately 30-40 students have been returning home daily without attending any classes.

The school, currently managed by a local villager who assists in opening and locking the premises, has become a symbol of administrative failure. Students report that they arrive on time, sit in the classrooms, and eventually head back as there is no one to teach them. Parents have expressed deep frustration, fearing for their children’s education and future.

Local School Inspector (SI) Bahnisikha De acknowledged the crisis, stating that a teacher assigned on deputation failed to join, a matter now reported to higher authorities. The situation has triggered a political blame game. Ghatal’s BJP MLA, Shital Kapat, slammed the state government for the degradation of the education system. In response, Vikas Kar, Vice-President of the Ghatal Panchayat Samiti, apologized and promised immediate action to appoint a teacher.