The State Government has no concern for the safety and security of the students at luhagudi school and its hostel in Gajapati district run by the ST and SC Development Department (SSD), alleged the school managing committee (SMC). Meeting district Collector Mansi Nimbhal on a public grievances redressal camp held at Mohana on Monday, the SMC submitted a memorandum in this regard.
The Government has framed policies for the safety and security of the students in the SSD-run schools. There are guidelines that senior officials, including district Collectors, should inspect the schools and hostels. Further, there is a code of conduct for teachers and students. The rules strictly prohibit any teaching or non-teaching staff and inspecting official on entering a girls’ hostel unless he is accompanied by an assistant hostel superintendent or matron or a lady teacher designated by the hostel superintendent or matron.
The luhagudi school is a girls’ residential school located in a remote area. The hostel has no drinking water facility, kitchen and boundary wall. Students are residing in half-constructed hostel buildings without basic facilities. Outsiders manage to enter the school in the evening without bar.