Binika: The government spends crores under the Sarva Sikhya Abhiyan (SSA) to improve primary education in the state. Education is free at the primary level and text books, school-dress and bi-cycles are given for free to the students. However, such efforts from the government have proved to be ineffective in many remote pockets of several districts of Odisha.
Villages under Binika block in Subarnapur district are a case in point. According to a survey, there are around 9,899 students studying in 131 primary schools in Binika block. Similarly, around 2,755 students study in 22 high schools in the block.
People in the area have raised concerns over the fact that hundreds of kids were working in fields as farmhands — working as helpers in tractors and tending cattle — after school. Many even skip school for a few days and work in hotels, construction sites and roadside eateries.
While reports claim the students were not forced to work, they try and help their parents with extra income. Most of them are poor and lack basic necessities. Some did odd jobs to buy stationery as their parents are too poor to afford them.
This clearly shows that Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), an initiative launched by the Centre to educate the children of the country, has failed to serve its purpose in several government schools of the remote areas. Locals fear that these children might drop out of school and work as migrant workers to help their families.
Taking serious note of the situation, the district Collector had earlier launched ‘Sishu Sanchaya Yojana’ in the schools of this block. As per the yojana, every school is supposed to have a piggy bank where students can deposit any amount of money.
Later, the headmaster would deposit the money in a bank in the name of the students where they can avail loan of up to Rs 10,000. This loan amount comes with zero interest rate and will help the students meet their educational expenses.
However, except for a handful of schools, no one follows the rule, in spite of repeated orders from the Collector.
When contacted, Binika Block Education Officer (BEO), Sashibhusan Sethy said that the scheme was not successful as there are hardly any donation from the students. He requested school committees, volunteer organisations and senior citizens to extend a helping hand.
On the other hand, as the district headquarters is far from the coastal pockets, it makes difficult for the senior officials to visit the schools and take stock of the situation regularly. Taking advantage of the situation, teachers engaged in the schools most of the time do not attend the schools, particularly during rainy season. Lack of proper roads is the prime reason attributed to the teachers’ attitude, it is reported.
Locals demanded the administration ensure the role of teachers in attracting kids to schools.
PNN