Baripada: A Class X student residing at a government-run residential girls’ school in Dhanpur under Betnoti block of Mayurbhanj district has given birth to a baby boy at Pandit Raghunath Murmu (PRM) Medical College and Hospital in Baripada, triggering serious concerns over student safety and the monitoring mechanisms in residential educational institutions.
The student was admitted to the hospital Wednesday morning after experiencing labour pains. She had initially fallen ill Tuesday, following which the school authorities took her to Betnoti hospital for treatment.
During the preliminary medical examination, doctors discovered that she was pregnant and subsequently referred her to PRM Medical College and Hospital in Baripada, where she delivered a baby boy.
According to reports, the student was around seven months pregnant.
She had been staying at the institution’s hostel while pursuing her Class X studies.
It is being speculated that the relationship leading to the pregnancy developed during the summer vacation when she had visited her home.
However, the circumstances surrounding the pregnancy have not yet been officially established.
The incident has raised serious questions about the functioning of the school’s monitoring and healthcare arrangements, particularly how a student’s advanced pregnancy allegedly went unnoticed by the authorities.
Questions have also emerged over the effectiveness of the monthly health check-ups reportedly conducted for residential students.
The role of hostel matrons has come under scrutiny, as they are said to collect menstrual hygiene pads from students every month.
Despite these arrangements, the student’s pregnancy allegedly remained undetected.
The development has intensified demands for a thorough departmental inquiry, accountability and clarification regarding the lapses.