Nuapada/Khariar Road: Authorities of Amali Dadar Primary School in Nuapada block are allegedly engaging students in menial work, which is expressly forbidden according to the guidelines of the Right to Education Act.
Students of the school were seen unloading firewood brought in a tractor for preparation of mid-day meals at the school July 2. Reports of the incident emerged Monday. The headmaster of the school allegedly asked the children to unload the tractor which brought the firewood to the school at about 10 am. The students were exhausted while carrying the wood, some locals said, adding that they had recorded the entire incident on their mobile phones and said they would submit the videos as evidence to authorities.
It is alleged that the students are being engaged in similar work round the year. Local residents informed senior officials of the education department and demanded action against school authorities.
When contacted, headmaster Hanumant Shabar acknowledged the incident. The students had brought the firewood from the tractor up to the school’s gate and later the wood was brought inside by the school staff, he explained.
Cluster resources centre coordinator Purnachandra Jena said he was aware of the incident and said action would be taken soon. PNN
