YADADRI-BHUVANAGIRI : The parents of the 15 middle-school students who fell ill after reportedly eating contaminated food at the Social Welfare Boys’ Residential School and Intermediate College in Bhuvanagiri said they have no faith in the inquiry committee appointed to probe the incident. They fear that the facts would not be brought to light and justice would not be served to the students.
The parents, who didn’t want to be named, alleged that the principal and warden were not present at the school on the day of the incident: April 13. They claimed that the principal travels back and forth from Hyderabad, and does not come to the school regularly. “Even if he does come, he does not stay for more than two or three hours. If we ask any questions about his absence, he will say that he had gone to the social welfare society’s office for school work,” the parents said.
They blamed the unavailability of the principal and lack of proper supervision by the management for the incident. The students allege that despite having a hostel on the premises, the principal never inspects it or the quality of the food provided.
N Rajani, regional coordinator of the residential school society for Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri, told TNIE that an inquiry is being conducted into the recent incident at the institution. Allegations against the principal are also being looked into.
Following an inspection by the vigilance committee, 39 bathrooms in the hostel were found to be in good condition, although some require repairs, which are currently underway, she said, adding that measures are being taken to remove the overgrowth. Instructions have also been issued to the contractor to increase the number of workers in the hostel kitchen from four to six.
Open defecation
Students said they are forced to defecate in the open as the toilets in the campus are poorly maintained. They alleged that despite raising the issue with the principal and warden, no action has been taken
Previous concerns unaddressed, allege parents
Rajani noted concerns about students using open spaces as toilets and stated that second-year classes are being held based on the wishes of Intermediate students.
It is learnt that parents had complained to the authorities in the past stating that the school principal was not performing his duties properly, which would lead to problems staying unaddressed, especially in the hostel. The parents expressed their concern that due to the management’s lackadaisical attitude, the students are suffering. Approximately two months ago, the high school students had complained that a mathematics teacher at the school had not been attending classes properly for at least a year.
Parents alleged that two officials who are currently on the inquiry committee had conducted a superficial inquiry on the teacher’s absence without delving deep into the matter. After the probe, no action was ever taken against the mathematics teacher nor was the issue resolved, they added.
Students defecate in the open
It has come to light that the students are forced to defecate in the open as the washrooms inside the campus are poorly maintained. Some students alleged that they complained about this issue to the principal and hostel warden, however, no action was ever taken.
Only four cooks for 640 students
Sources said that a private contractor has been awarded the contract for preparing meals for the 640 students in the school, wherein 90% of them belong to the SC/ST community and the remaining 10% of the students belong to the BC community.
While only rice is supplied by the government, vegetables and groceries have to be purchased by the contractor. Some students said that due to lack of proper oversight, the contractor is providing low quality food by purchasing substandard groceries. According to government regulations, there should be at least eight workers in the cooking section, however, the school only has four workers. This, according to parents, has led to students eating food that has been improperly cooked.
Do norms apply only to pvt institutions, ask parents
The institution is also allegedly holding classes, for second-year Intermediate students willing to attempt EAMCET and NEET exams and those who have completed their first year of Intermediate studies, during the summer vacation. This reportedly is in violation of norms of the State Board of Intermediate Education, which had made it clear that classes must not be held during the summer vacation and strict action will be taken against institutions violating the directive. This has led to the parents questioning whether government regulations apply only to private colleges and not to government residential colleges.