Krushnaprasad: Tension prevailed after villagers locked up a primary school in Kumarpur village under this block in Puri district following reports that worm infested rice was served to students during midday meals Saturday.
Guardians accompanied by school managing committee members Sadan Behera, Jayanti Behera and secretary Sudarshan Das gheraoed the Kumarpur primary school and locked its main gate.
They relented after two hours after headmaster Ajay Kumar Nayak assured them to stop preparation of midday meals for the students till arrival of fresh stocks of rice in the school.
The guardians alleged that the school authorities serve worm- infested rice to students since the school reopened after summer vacation June 18. Students noticed the worms in the rice following which half the students refused to take food.
Villagers alleged that worms appeared in the rice stored in the school premises after the school remained closed for over two months of summer vacation.
Sibararm Behera, a Class-V boy, even informed teachers about the worm-infested rice but the authorities ignored him and cooked the rice again for the second batch of students. The students came back home and informed their parents.
The parents accompanied by the managing committee members met the headmaster and teachers and informed them about the development. However, the authorities ignored their pleas.
Finally, the guardians decided to close the school and locked up its main gate.
When contacted, block education officer Subhash Chandra Jena said action will be initiated against errant school staff. PNN