CUTTACK: In a bid to get students reach the school, the Cuttack district administration has provided transport support and escort facilities to 29 tribal children residing in Munda Sahi and Rajendra Nagar village of Damapada block in Banki sub-division.
As per reports, 40 years back, 35 tribal families had migrated from their native places to Talabasta panchayat of Damapada block to work in a calcium carbonate mine. Though the mine was shut down 10 years back, they settled there by becoming the voters of Banki Assembly constituency. Both Munda Sahi and Rajendra Nagar habitations under the jurisdiction of Chandaka-Damapada Wildlife Sanctuary have been deprived of basic facilities including communication, education and health services.
While there is no school in the two habitations, the children cover a distance of 3.5 kms amidst dense forest to attend Bidyadharpur Primary School.
Block Education Officer (BEO) Himansu Bhusan Samaratha said as per the guideline, the State Government cannot open a school for them as at least 40 students are required for opening a primary school.
“In order to provide educational facilities to these tribal children, we had proposed to the authorities of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) which recently sanctioned `300 per student per month towards escort and transportation support to 29 tribal children,” he said.
The fund has been deposited in the joint account of 21 children while effort is on to open bank account for rest eight students.
Meanwhile, a five-member team of National University of Educational Planning and Administration (NUEPA), which is undertaking research on improving participation of children in elementary schools, visited the two villages and recommended to the Government to admit the 29 tribal children in nearby Talavegiput Residential School.