Balangir: A shocking and surprising incident has come to the fore from Odisha’s Balangir district in which a teacher was seen going to his school with saline dripped after allegedly being denied leave. One Prakash Bhoi, the mathematics teacher of Bhainsa Adarsha Vidyalaya in Balagir district had reportedly gone to attend his grandfather’s death rituals yesterday. In the meantime, he fell sick and applied for sick leave. However, Bijayalaxmi Pradhan, the vice principal of the Bhainsa Adarsha Vidyalaya who is now the principal in-charge, allegedly denied him leave and directed him to report to District Education Officer (DEO)-cum -District Project Coordinator (DPC). After performing his grandfather’s last rites, Bhoi reportedly went to the DPC’s office in Balangir as directed by Bijayalaxmi Pradhan. However, he fell sick there at around 12 PM and sought her permission to go to the hospital for treatment. “After my grandfather expired on March 6 and I was feeling sick, I informed about it to the principal-in-charge and applied for a leave. But she denied and asked me reach the DPC office as soon as possible. Due to this, after performing the last rites of my grandfather in the morning, I left for Balangir even though I was not well both physically and mentally,” alleged Bhoi. “While working at the DPC office, I got fever by 12 PM so I asked permission from the madam to go to the hospital for treatment. Instead of asking me how is my health conditions, she asked me whether I can return by 2 PM for verification,” he added. “Despite hearing the harassing words of the principal-in-charge, I went in search of hospital. Unfortunately, I could not reach the government hospital as it was far from the office. Besides, I could not go for treatment at any private hospital or clinic as I did not have cash, neither my UPI was working. So, I returned back to the office without any treatment and worked there till late evening. Repeatedly, I requested madam to allow me to go home but every time she ignored me and continued to give me workload. However, after completing my work at around 7 PM, I visited the government hospital, got some medicine and returned back to home,” Bhoi said. “Again I informed the principal about my health condition and requested her to grant me leave. However, she denied me saying to reach the school at any cost as preparation has to be done for the exam, which will be held tomorrow. By force and finding no other means, I had to come to the school this morning. Before coming to the school, I met a doctor who administered me the saline as my health condition was not well. I reached the school with saline dripped as it did not get over by the time I had to leave for the school,” the teacher said. “This is not the first time I was denied sick leave. She is doing some partiality when it comes to leave. Other teachers get leaves easily and quickly, but in my case I am either denied or mentally harassed,” he alleged. However, after he reached the school today to take class, Bhoi’s colleagues rushed him to the hospital for treatment. Meanwhile, speaking about the incident, Patnagarh Block Education Officer (BEO) Prasad Majhi said that a probe will be initiated and action will be taken against the accused, whoever she/he may be.
Teacher arrives at school with saline dripped after being denied leave in Odisha
