Expressing deep anguish over the forcible engagement of students for cooking the mid-day meals in Sevashram schools, the Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has directed the SC and ST Department to gear up the system of supervision of all school functioning under its administrative control to stave off such situations.
The commission department to take effective action for qualitative improvement of education of students enrolled in such schools. The commission passed the order while disposing off a case filed by Angul-based Human Rights Watch secretary Sangita Swain.
The petitioner had moved the commission highlighting the forcible engagement of students for cooking the mid-day meals at Mudulipada Adivasi High School Malkangiri district.
“From the enquiry report conducted by the Malkangiri district Collector, the commission is convinced that, not only the education of the students of the school is in jeopardy, but also the preparation of mid-day meal through the students is highly objectionable as it is fraught with grave risk. In case anything goes wrong, it would create a huge problem for the district administration,” the commission’s order observed.
The commission too expressed its anguish over the failure of the SC and ST Development Department Secretary in submitting report.