The BJP State Mahila Morcha on Tuesday hit out at the State Government for not ensuring social security and a life of dignity to the minor girls who have become unwed mothers at the Government-run Sevashram schools in the State. “Undoubtedly, the Government is responsible for minor motherhood of tribal and minority community school children reading and staying at Sevashrams in tribals-dominated districts. But post delivery, instead of ensuring justice, care and compassion to them, the Government is not taking any step either to bring them back to schools or ensuring security to them,” said Morcha State president Simantini Jena here at a Press conference.
last week, Jena had led a seven-member team to different schools in Koraput district and interacted with some of the victims. She said, “In many cases, we found that students who have delivered babies want to continue their studies. Alas, the Government is not ensuring it too.” Jena also alleged that in schools like Umri Sevashrma and Kasturaba Gandhi Sevashram poor students are in misery as 150 of them are staying in just five rooms.
“Many schools are running sans adequate staff. While at SSD High School, girls are staying in hostels which have no boundary walls and passersby witness their bath and other activities,” alleged Jena. She urged the Government to ensure proper security, infrastructure, regular health checkup of students and formation of local academic audit to streamline the functioning of the Sevashram schools and students’ security.