Students of ashram school in Nagarahole don’t have access to even basic facilities
Students of the ashram school for tribals in Nagarahole — who were forced to study as well as eat and sleep in their classrooms for the last four years — can now look forward to having their own dormitory soon.
Although the Kodagu Zilla Panchayat had decided to construct a new hostel with additional rooms, the officials realised that a clearance from the National Board for Wildlife, New Delhi, was necessary for any construction in tiger reserve areas.
Ever since the dilapidated hostel building was demolished four years ago, students of classes 1 to 7 have been experiencing a harrowing time.
“The number of students in the residential school also witnessed a gradual decline over the years,” said Prakash, who represents the Karnataka Forest-based Tribal Communities’ Federation. Recently, the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR) took up the matter with Forest Minister B. Ramanath Rai.
In the interest of the students, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Ravi Ralph has given permission for reconstruction of the hostel, said KSCPCR chairperson Kripa Amar Alva. Kantharaju, Chief Conservator of Forests, Nagarahole, said the building has to be constructed on the same plot of land. “There cannot be any extension,” he said.
Satish Kumar, the Integrated Tribal Development Programme officer of Kodagu, said the proposal to construct the dormitory was cleared by the zilla panchayat several years ago and funds were also sanctioned. “If permission has been given, construction can start soon,” he said.
Of 47 students, about 40 attended regularly. In view of the absence of hostel facilities, nearly 20 of them return home to their tribal hamlets nearby every evening. The remaining sleep in the classroom, Mr. Kumar said.
The school has only three classrooms and one staff room. “Students of two classes are made to sit in one room because of the shortage of classrooms,” an official said. Also, the school has only one permanent teacher, while the rest are outsourced.
Mr. Praksh found fault with the government policies towards tribal children, which was leading to closure of ashram schools. “The number of ashram schools dipped from 121 three years ago to 116 now,” he said.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Karnataka / by Laiqh A. Khan / Mysuru – December 04th, 2015
