Nandapur: Early childhood education in Nandapur block of Koraput district has taken a beating as rainwater leaks through the decrepit roofs of 78 out of 240 Anganwadi centres (AWCs) under the block, a report said.
According to officials, the block has 240 AWCs under the state Women and Child Development (W&CD) department, of which 201 operate from their own buildings. However, 78 of these centres suffer roof leakage during rains.
Another 39 centres lack their own buildings and continue having classes in schools, community halls and house verandas. The centres are tasked with providing preschool education, nutrition and healthcare for children, adolescent girls and pregnant women. Despite the disruption, food and health services are continuing.
Parents and local representatives have expressed dissatisfaction and urged the panchayat, block, district administration and the W&CD department to intervene.
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According to officials, Nandapur block is divided into 10 clusters across 23 gram panchayats. Reports show that centres in Hataguda, Kularsing, Malibelgaon, Padua, Nandapur, Baddel, Bilaput, Khemunduguda, Raisingh and Chatua clusters are among the worst affected, where roofs leak heavily and staff and children are unable to stay indoors during rainfall.
The Hataguda cluster has 11 AWCs, Kularsingh six, Malibelgaon 11, Padua six, Nandapur nine, Baddel fi ve, Bilaput two, Khemunduguda six, Raisingh 18, and Chatua has four. Children, adolescent girls, Anganwadi workers, and assistants are unable to remain inside and run for cover when it starts raining. Resentment is brewing among parents and elected representatives over the poor condition of several AWCs in Nandapur block.
Child development project officer (CDPO) Minatibala Pattnaik said offi cials at the block, district and state levels have been informed about 39 AWCs lacking permanent buildings and leaking roofs of 78 centres. Block development offi cer (BDO) Durgaprasad Dora and assistant executive engineer Jhashaketan Behera said funds were recently sanctioned for the construction of buildings at four AWCs in Darengba, Gulpandi, Khadaput and Dumuriguda. They added that more than 60 AWCs will receive grants of Rs 45,000 each from the W&CD department for repairs.
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The block and panchayat offices have also decided to support renovation of additional centres. Offi cials said all pending works will be completed soon. A cross-section of people in the region urged authorities to expedite development of AWCs, which serve as the first step toward children’s education and health.
PNN
