Kaptipada: Both the Centre and the state government accord priority on primary education and earmark crores of rupees to boost the sector. However, the scenario in this tribal-dominated block of Mayurbhanj district is bleak.
Here is an instance of the deplorable condition of primary education. Chhanchunia village is a fringe area under this block. The village has a primary school in government record, but in reality it runs from a thatched house with so much as no protective walls. Children face a lot of problems in the absence of a building, electricity, drinking water and a kitchen.
Locals say, “There was no school within 3-km radius of the village till 2012. As result, our children used to have problems in receiving education in the proximity. We would leave our children to primary schools, 3-4 km away from the village. It was difficult for us to carry children to distant schools on a daily basis. Sometimes, children did not go to schools and stay back.”
Primary school was a long pending demand of villagers. Considering the demand of villagers, the school and mass education department opened a primary school in the village in 2012. But not building has been set up as yet. Villagers have put up a shanty where 76 children between Class-1 and Class-5 study here. Only two teachers have been appointed for five classes.
“The school lacks its own building, kitchen and toilet. Children face a lot of problems,” lamented Satyabhama Chatar, ward member.
Be it sunny or rainy days, children sit under a thatched roof. “Summer is ahead. How can children sit there and study in heat wave conditions?” she asked.
It was also alleged that mid-day meal (MDM) programme is not carried out properly. “Being a fringe area, rice for the MDM is not supplied in time,” the ward member added.
Cook Gouri and her assistant Sabita expressed unhappiness over their payment.” We did not get payments from March 2014 till June 2015,” they added.
Locals demanded immediate steps to put up necessary infrastructure of the school.
When contacted, additional block education officer Ramachandra Das said a proposal to build a school has been sent to the government. “Work will start after funds were made available,” he added.
PNN
