New Delhi, August 7: In a shocking incident from Odisha, around 180 students residing in a hostel have walked 12 kilometers back to their homes in protest against poor food quality and living conditions. The students, housed in the Santemara Government High School hostel in the Nabarangpur district, reported severe overcrowding, with many crammed into just two rooms. Complaints included finding insects in their meals, particularly in rice and lentils.
Frustrated by the deplorable conditions, including leaking roofs, filthy toilets, and a lack of sports equipment, the students decided to leave the hostel with their bags and head home. Officials from the Education and Tribal Welfare Department intervened, meeting with the students and their parents to assure them that their grievances would be addressed.
The students expressed that the overcrowding was affecting their studies, leading them to undertake the long walk home. Following the incident, several parents arrived at the hostel to take their children home.
In response to the uproar, the principal of the school, Rajalakshmi Maharana, denied most of the allegations but acknowledged some mismanagement within the hostel. However, she refuted claims of serving spoiled food. This incident has sparked a broader debate about the quality of facilities and food in government hostels across the state.
Assistant Block Officer Dashrath Gond stated that upon receiving the news, they visited the site and found the students walking. They provided food and shelter at a nearby school and subsequently transferred the principal, appointing a new one named Ganeshram Nayak. The students were later transported back to school.
This incident follows another protest at the Government Seth Anandilal Poddar School for the Deaf in Jaipur, where students raised concerns over poor sanitation, water scarcity, and dilapidated buildings. The Education Department has promised to address these issues promptly, ensuring that students receive the necessary facilities and a safe learning environment.
The department has also formed a special committee to assess and report on the conditions at the school, with plans for immediate repairs and improvements to prevent such situations in the future.