Pune: The Kunjirwadi dual-teacher school, catering to grades 1 through 4, is facing a potential shutdown due to a prolonged shortage of staff. One of the school’s two teachers has been absent since December 2021, leaving students without adequate instruction for nearly three years.

Repeated appeals by the School Management Committee (SMC) to fill the vacancy have gone unanswered, leading to substantial academic losses for the children.

Despite numerous letters and follow-ups with the Group Education Officer, Group Development Officer, Education Officer (Primary), and the Chief Executive Officer, no action has been taken to fill the vacant post.

The SMC held a meeting on August 30, attended by parents and Cluster Head Shabbir Sheikh, where it was unanimously decided that if a permanent teacher is not appointed by September 15, the school will close. This decision has been formally communicated to district and education authorities.

The situation mirrors that of the Zilla Parishad primary school in Uruli Kanchan’s Panmala area, where the lack of teachers has been an ongoing issue for the past three years.

The absence of permanent teachers has caused many parents to withdraw their children from the school, enrolling them elsewhere. Despite 11 formal reports being sent to various education officials, no meaningful action has been taken.

Parents and local leaders are outraged at the education department’s inefficiency. Sandeep Shivarkar, a member of the Pune District Consumer Protection Council, criticized the department, saying, “If the government cannot provide teachers, they should shut down the schools entirely rather than playing with the future of poor children.”

With no resolution in sight, the SMC and parents have vowed to proceed with closing the school if the situation does not improve by the deadline.