Primary education in various villages is in a mess for various reasons while the Sarva Shikhya Abhiyan (SSA) has allegedly failed to achieve its goal.
Scores of children in Khandahata under Birmaharajpur block have been deprived of their Right To Education as mandated under the Right To Education Act.
Two children were found tending cattle in the area that falls under the district of Housing and Urban Development, Industries Minister Niranjan Pujari. The kids belong to Khandata gram panchayat.
Conscious citizens and social activists termed this unfortunate, observing that when children of their age are studying in schools and leading joyful lives, Suman Suna and Subash Suna are tending cattle in forests to supplement their family income.
“I am reading in the Khandahata high school in 9th class and my brother is reading in the Khandahata Nodal UP School in 5th class. In the absence of my father, we are tending the cattle, as my father is doing labour works, “said Subash.
A report said scores of children have dropped out of schools due to financial constraints and are engaged in various works. The local people alleged that neither the administration nor the Education Department has taken note of the problem. They said the SSA has completely flopped in the area while the administration boasts of having taken steps to bring the drop-outs or out –of- school children to schools.
The Government has made provision of residential schools for children. But nothing is being done for these types of unlucky kids, some locals said.
Block Education Officer Ghanashyam Sahu said, “I will conduct an enquiry into the matter through the CRCC and take appropriate steps.”