Bantala: A shocking incident at the Madanmohan Patana Project School of Purunagarh in Matiasahi panchayat in Angul block has raised the concern of social activists and the public here.
The incident surfaced, when villagers complained to the Block Education Officer (BEO) Tuesday, against the school authorities forcing minor students to dig three compost pits on the school’s premises. Photos and videos of the incident were handed over to the BEO to probe the incident.
As per the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, a ‘child’ is defined as any person below the age of 14. Children under the age of 14 years cannot be hired or permitted to work in any occupation. It is a cognizable criminal offence to employ a child for any work.
The headmistress of the school is forcing tiny kids studying in Class I to Class VIII to do hazardous jobs. Recently, students were given heavy digging tools and asked to dig three compost pits.
The students started work February 19 and completed it February 22. People said the headmistress had also asked students to clean high-rise overhead water tanks.
Reacting to the charges, headmistress Bimalini Nanda said, “Departmental officers are always insisting on Swachh Bharat works in all schools. But I did not ask the students to dig the compost pit, they did it themselves.”
District Education Officer (DEO) Sachidanand Behera said, “These things should never happen. The BEO must explain about it.”
The BEO, Lopamudra Pattanayak, was contacted several times on her mobile phone, but she didn’t accept the call.
A local women’s organisation named Shri Ganesh Women Union of Purunagarh has demanded an immediate, high-level inquiry into the matter, and action against those responsible.
PNN
