The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has sought a detailed report on the plight of the students in Nua-Adivasi Colony UP School here from School and Mass Education (SME) Department Secretary Usha Padhee.
The apex child rights panel acting on a petition by rights activist Radhakanta Tripathy registered a case and issued the notice. The petitioner had said there are over 45 students, mostly STs, studying in the school, which was established in Ward No– 13 under Geltua panchayat. However, there is neither a boundary wall of the school nor any play ground. The worst part is that there is no all-weather road to the school. The only kutcha road becomes slippery and muddy in rainy season causing hardships for the students to attend the school.
Tripathy had mentioned that the kids belong to tribal families who are victims of displacement due to construction of official residences of the District Magistrate and various other top officials of the district administration.
The parents of the children are poor and unable to build houses on their own, let alone taking care of the education of their wards. Tripathy had alleged that although the plight of the studemnts had ben brought to the notice of the district administartion earlier but the latter took no action which amounted to violation of child rights.
The activist had requested the NCPCR to intervene in the case and depute a team of officials to investigate it and recommend the State Government to provide minimum amenities at the school including a boundary wall, a playground and a permanent pucca road so that the students get education comfortably.
Meanwhile, the School and Mass Education Department has been asked to reply within 30 days, while the district education officer and District Collector started an enquiry into the issue.