The Government has made all primary schools punishment-free zones and introduced Midday Meal Scheme in order to attract children to their respective schools for study under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. But children are still being punished in some schools, though not being caned, but bearing the brunt otherwise.
Such an allegation has come to the fore at the Nizigarh Primary School under Cuttack district’s Narasinghapur block.
According to information, children had gone to the school on Saturday morning. But to their astonishment, some parents saw about 15 children carrying plastic chairs from a 700-metre distance tent-house at Paikapada Patna towards the school. Each child was carrying three to four chairs on their heads. What was more astonishing is that no school staff was guiding the children on the jammed road.
When asked by parents, children too stated that they pump out water from the school tube well and carry the same to the kitchen room for cooking purposes and to the toilet for teachers’ use.
A few parents soon went to the school and asked teachers why their kids are engaged in such works, a teacher told them that that schools also make the students learn to work. When contacted, the Block Education Officer (BEO) said he has not received any allegation in this regard. However, he said that he would conduct an inquiry and take appropriate action if the matter is found to be true.
Meanwhile, parents have demanded that the State Child Development Officer and the district Collector conduct enquiries and take stern actions against schools staffs.