For these kids, education is a dangerously adventurous journey in the tribal district Nabarangpur as they put their life at risk by crossing a watercourse to reach their school during monsoon.
As there is no bridge over the water body and the condition of the local road is not usable, the children of Meradanaguda and Baghaguda villages in Palia panchayat under Jharigaon block have no option to reach the school other than crossing the watercourse by holding hands of each other.
The plight of the students has never drawn attention of the administration, which though parrots slogans for right to education and education for all.
According to reports, 16 students of the two villages study at the Belajhari Primary School. Every day, they have to cross a watercourse on their way to the school. However, the situation turns more miserable for them during monsoon when the water level rises. Parents of the children also help them cross the watercourse to reach the school.
Many a time, the residents of the two villages have requested the district administration to construct a bridge over the Naramunda watercourse and repair the rural road. However, their pleas have not yielded results yet.
“If any mishap takes place while crossing the watercourse, the administration will be responsible for it,” said villagers and demanded that the administration constructs a bridge and repair the road at the earliest.