Sambalpur, Jul 18: Tension gripped Pandikimal Upper Primary School under Redhakhol block in Odisha’s Sambalpur district on Saturday morning, as students, parents, and guardians staged a sit‑in protest in front of the institution.

According to sources, the demonstrators demanded the transfer of the school’s Headmaster, Dukhishyam Behera, alleging negligence in teaching, irregularities in the mid‑day meal scheme, disregard for the school management committee, and obstruction of new admissions.

The protest led to the closure of the school for nearly three hours, disrupting classes and drawing attention from local authorities. Parents claimed that repeated complaints had gone unheard, forcing them to resort to a dharna. “We want accountability in teaching and proper facilities for our children,” said Dilip Pradhan, a parent.

School Management Committee (SMC) president Dambarudhar Raul echoed the concerns, stating that the committee had been sidelined in key decisions. “The functioning of the school must respect the role of the SMC,” he said.

Headmaster Dukhisyam Behera, however, strongly refuted the allegations, calling them baseless. “All charges are unfounded. We have been conducting classes and managing the school as per norms,” he asserted.

The situation prompted Block Education Officer (BEO) Ranjit Bhoi to rush to the spot. After discussions with parents and community members, he assured them of corrective measures and urged them to withdraw the protest. Following his intervention, the demonstrators dispersed and the school reopened.

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The incident highlights growing tensions between school administrations and local communities over accountability and transparency in delivery of education. While parents insist on reforms and strict monitoring, authorities maintain that allegations must be substantiated before action is taken. For now, the school has resumed normal functioning, but the episode underscores the need for stronger communication between educators and stakeholders.