24 government school teachers died in second wave of Covid

Covid-19 has claimed lives of 24 government teachers in two district of East and West Champaran in second wave of the pandemic so far.

The stats came to fore on Monday after East Champaran district education department compiled a list of the deceased teachers, to share with the state education department. “All 24 teachers died due to Covid -19,” said Awdesh Kumar Singh, district education officer (DEO), East Champaran.

“Most of them were contractual teachers, who died due to financing crisis. For the last four months, contractual teachers have not received their salaries,” Amardeep Kumar, president of Bihar Panchayat Nagar Prarambhik Shikshak Sangh, East Champaran, said.

As per the officials records of East Champaran, while ten teachers died in April, 12 succumbed to Covid -19 in May. Two deaths were reported from West Champaran, confirmed Binod

Kumar Vimal, district education officer.

Family members of Upendra Kumar, posted as headmaster at Chakayi Tola-based primary school, attributed the financial crisis as major factor behind his death.

“We were unable to meet the medical expenses of private health services. There were no beds available in government hospitals,” said Neeraj Paswan, son of Upendra Kumar who died on April 24.Meanwhile, district teacher association of Bihar’s East Champaran district also echoed similar sentiments.

“Even though the state government has shut educational institutions till May 15, teachers were required to be present in the school on rotation basis, which increased the risk of being exposed to the virus.,” said Jai Prakash Singh, vice president of Bihar Panchayat Nagar Prarambhik Shikshak Sangh, East Champaran. He also demanded compensation of ₹50 lakh for the families of deceased teachers, besides job to one dependent in each family.