Raisen, September 17: A viral video from Devnagar in Madhya Pradesh‘s Raisen district has highlighted the struggles of schoolchildren who navigate muddy roads to reach their school. In the footage, students can be seen trudging through muck with school bags on their backs, as this is their only route to school.
Every day, these children search for clean water to wash their feet before they can attend classes, often going without any footwear. Local residents report that the treacherous path frequently causes children to slip and injure themselves. The hazardous conditions make it difficult for younger children to attend school regularly, with risks of snake and scorpion bites also looming.
Teachers at the school have voiced their concerns, stating that they have repeatedly complained to the local administration about the need for a proper road but have yet to see any action taken. Villagers have also approached the sarpanch (village head) multiple times regarding the issue, but he has reportedly refused to initiate road construction.
This situation is not unique to Madhya Pradesh. Similar challenges are being reported from various parts of the country. In Bihar’s Gaya district, for instance, children in Kainya village wade through knee-deep water to reach school due to the absence of a bridge, facing the risk of drowning during the monsoon season. Residents claim that children can only attend school one or two days a week during the rainy months, as the rising water levels make the journey perilous.
In another viral video from Burhanpur district, children are seen returning home from school, carrying books on their heads and pleading for road construction to ease their daily commute.
Under the Right to Education Act, 2009, regulations are in place to ensure safe access to schools, including provisions for adequate lighting and footpaths for pedestrians. However, the lack of infrastructure continues to hinder children’s education in these areas.