If we fail, who's responsible?: Students boycott classes over teacher absenteeism

Hundreds of students at Vaidyanath Vidyalaya in Parli boycotted classes and protested over absent teachers. The demonstration brought renewed focus on staff shortages and administrative lapses affecting students' studies.Around 16 teachers have either remained absent or failed to conduct regular classes over the past month. (Screengrab)Hundreds of students of the Vaidyanath Vidyalaya in Maharashtra's Beed district staged a protest and boycotted classes, alleging that teachers have remained absent for weeks, severely affecting their studies.The school, located in Parli and functioning since 1941, witnessed demonstrations by students from Classes 5 to 10, who gathered on the campus and raised slogans against the alleged apathy of the education department and the school's administration.Shouting slogans such as "Education is our right, not anyone's property," the students accused authorities of failing to ensure regular teaching despite repeated complaints. They alleged that the ongoing dispute among the institution's management and the lack of administrative oversight had jeopardised the academic future of nearly 450 students.According to the students, around 16 teachers have either remained absent or failed to conduct regular classes over the past month. They claimed that although several teachers were transferred, no replacements had been appointed, leaving many subjects without instructors. ISSUE AFFECTED BY ADMINISTRATIVE CHALLENGESThe issue has also been compounded by administrative challenges. Last year, 25 of the school's 41 teachers were declared surplus, and the charge of the headmaster's post was handed over to the Block Education Officer following directions from the education department. Students alleged that despite these developments, authorities failed to address the shortage of teachers.Following the protest, officials from the Beed Education Department visited the school. During the inspection, students submitted their grievances to Deputy Education Officer (Secondary) Dhananjay Shinde and demanded that regular classes resume immediately.'NO CLASSES BEING CONDUCTED' A Class 9 student said the prolonged absence of teachers had left students worried about their academic future."No classes are being conducted. Teachers who were transferred have not been replaced. It has already been a month. If we fail our examinations, who will be responsible? We want new teachers to be appointed as soon as possible," the student said.The school's vice-principal said the institution had been functioning without a regular principal for the past six years, contributing to administrative difficulties.Deputy Education Officer Dhananjay Shinde assured students that steps were being taken to minimise their academic loss. He said the department would ensure students did not suffer due to the disruption and warned that strict action would be taken against any teacher found neglecting teaching duties.The protest highlights growing concerns over staff shortages and administrative issues affecting government-aided schools in Maharashtra.- EndsWith inputs from Rohidas Lahudas HatagalePublished By: Ritaban MisraPublished On: Jul 31, 2026 21:41 IST