A teacher in Odisha’s Balangir district was forced to report to work with a saline drip after being allegedly denied sick leave and “mentally harassed” over repeated requests.<\/p>\n

Prakash Bhoi, a mathematics teacher at Bhainsa Adarsha Vidyalaya, had travelled on March 6 to attend the last rites of his grandfather. Soon after, he fell ill and applied for sick leave.<\/p>\n

Bijayalaxmi Pradhan, the school’s vice principal and current principal-in-charge, allegedly denied his request and ordered him to report to the District Education Officer (DEO)-cum-District Project Coordinator (DPC) in Balangir.<\/p>\n

“After my grandfather died, I was feeling sick and applied for leave. But she denied it and asked me to reach the DPC office. I left despite not being well, both physically and mentally,” Mr Bhoi told Odia outlet Kalinga TV<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Despite his deteriorating condition, Mr Bhoi followed orders and reached the DPC’s office in Balangir.<\/p>\n

At around noon, his condition worsened, and he sought permission to visit a hospital. “Instead of asking about my health, she asked if I could return by 2 pm\u00a0for verification,” he alleged.<\/p>\n

Prakash Bhoi said he tried to visit a hospital despite the principal-in-charge’s harsh words but couldn’t reach the government hospital as it was too far. Without cash and a working UPI system, he couldn’t seek treatment at private clinics either and had to return to the office, where he worked till late evening.<\/p>\n

Later that night, he finally managed to seek medical attention but was still allegedly denied leave and ordered to report to school for exam preparations.<\/p>\n

“Finding no other means, I had to come to the school this morning. Before coming to the school, I met a doctor who administered saline to me as my health was not well. I reached the school with saline drip as it did not get over by the time I had to leave for the school,” Mr Bhoi said.<\/p>\n

Upon reaching the school, Mr Bhoi’s colleagues rushed him to a hospital.<\/p>\n

“This is not the first time I was denied sick leave,” he claimed. “She is doing some partiality when it comes to leave. Other teachers get leaves easily and quickly, but in my case I am either denied or mentally harassed,” he alleged.<\/p>\n

Reacting to the incident, Patnagarh Block Education Officer (BEO) Prasad Majhi assured a probe. Action will be taken against the accused, whoever it may be, he said.<\/p>\n

\u200bPrakash Bhoi, the mathematics teacher, claimed this was not the first time his sick leave was denied, alleging that the principal favoured other teachers while denying his requests.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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