A shocking incident has emerged from a government educational institution in Odisha, involving a severe lapse in judgment by an educator entrusted with student safety. The headmaster of a primary school in Kendrapara district has been accused of consuming alcohol during school hours and subsequently locking the main entrance from the outside while under the influence. This reckless act left approximately 35 students ranging from classes 1 to 5 trapped inside the premises. As realization dawned upon the locked children, panic ensued, leading to desperate cries for help that eventually drew local residents to the scene who managed to unlock the gate and rescue them.
The event unfolded at the Ambura Government Primary School, situated within the Kurujanga Gram Panchayat under the Derabish block of Kendrapara district. The institution accommodates roughly 35 students and employs two teachers. On the day of the incident, the second teacher was on leave, leaving the headmaster, Sunakar Nayak, solely in charge of daily operations. According to allegations, he consumed alcohol and secured the main gate from the outside before falling asleep. After some time, when the trapped children realized they could not exit, fear gripped them, prompting them to shout for assistance from within the walled boundaries.
Alerted by the distressing cries echoing from inside the school building, neighbors rushed to the location to investigate. Upon witnessing the locked premises and hearing the distressed children, locals intervened to open the gate and release the trapped youngsters. The aftermath triggered immediate resentment among parents and community members who questioned the fundamental safety standards maintained by school staff. Guardians argued that leaving children locked inside while an educator is incapacitated by alcohol represents an unacceptable level of negligence, prompting strong demands for strict administrative action.
With only two faculty members assigned to the school and one absent, the entire responsibility rested squarely on the headmaster. Following widespread complaints, Derabish Block Education Officer Madan Mohan Kar initiated a formal inquiry into the matter. Officials confirmed that departmental investigations corroborated the allegations leveled against the headmaster. The BEO noted that such behavior from the head of an educational facility is entirely unbecoming of the teaching profession. Consequently, following the inquiry findings, Sunakar Nayak was placed under suspension while education authorities continue to review administrative measures.
