Aradi: Even as the death of five students in a road mishap at Ranital in Bhadrak district has stunned the entire state on end, safety of students studying in roadside schools has become a matter of grave
concern for people, a report said Saturday.
Observers pointed out that teachers of these schools should be more serious and attentive towards the safety of these students.
Earlier, the joint secretary of school and mass education warned all district education officers, block education officers and all education officials in a letter (13170, dated- June 13, 2018) that students of various schools not be allowed to leave school premises under any circumstances .
However, it was alleged that the restrictions issued by the joint secretary have been openly violated by the authorities of Akhandalmani Nodal High School under Chandbali block which is situated on Aradi-Chandabali roadside. At least 30 students were seen walking home and some on bicycles to have food during their
lunch break Friday.
This apart, many students from Class I to and Class-VIII were seen not taking their midday meals and instead having snacks brought from home during lunch break.
When contacted by this correspondent, students Sushreemayee Barik, Deepankar Padhi and Dibyajyoti Ray said food cooked in the school is of sub-standard quality and not of good taste and most often insects come out of the rice.
Notably, the nodal upper primary school in the area has been merged with the high school from the current educational session of 2018-19.
It was claimed that the students take the main road to have food during lunch break as a fence stands as a barrier in front of these two schools.
Students taking the main road are vulnerable to accidents as most of the students from Class-IX to Class-X go home to take their lunch during the lunch break. This has also raised question marks on the school authorities on completely ignoring enforcement of discipline in the school.
When contacted, Debabrata Jena, headmaster (in-charge) of the school said students have been repeatedly warned not to move out of the school. However, if some students have violated the order then it might be beyond his knowledge.
Pranay Nayak, block education officer of Chandbali block, said if such an incident has taken place in the school then a show-cause notice will be issued to the headmaster and action will be taken, if found guilty.
PNN