History and biological science teachers are taking mathematics classes since 17 years at a state-aided girl’s high school at a village here in East Burdwan, which, the school authorities claimed, bears the wounds caused by the utter negligence of the school education department.

“Several times we’ve brought the matter to the notice of the district inspector of schools but, as it seems, the officials haven’t heard the matter carefully,” said Surabhi Mandi, teacher incharge of Patuli Girl’s High School in Purbasthali in Kalna.

Mandi said: “I’ve joined the school in 2005 as a biology teacher and after the last mathematics teacher retired on 31 December, 2005, I was assigned to take mathematics classes, besides my routine classes. The post of mathematics teacher has been lying vacant since 1 January, 2006, unfortunately.”

The Girl’s High School accommodates 502 students, of whom 131 are in Class IX. “We are helpless here as there’s none to guide us properly. We are forced by the circumstances to hire private tutors,” said Class IX students Sabita Ghosh and Anamika Das.

Along with Surabhi, the school’s history teacher Hasna Khatun has also been given responsibility to take Mathematics classes. She said: “Upto Class VI, it’s okay. But, it’s really troublesome to teach math properly to Class IX and Class X students. I need to prepare myself as a student before attending those classes.”

The school doesn’t have teachers for subjects like geography, Bengali and physical education, too. To teach 502 students, the school just has 7-odd teachers.

But, how the school education department is allowing the biology and history teachers to teach an important subject like mathematics over the years. When asked about it district inspector of schools Sridhar Pramanik replied: “It seems that the school authority hasn’t forwarded the appeal properly. I’ll definitely inquire into this.” The school’s teacher in-charge, Mandi however clarified: “We’re running under-staffed. We’ve immediate vacancy for 6 more teachers and every time we’re asked to furnish details of our strength, we’re dispatched properly