Over 100 school students walk for 20 km to present grievances to Mayurbhanj Collector

In a unique protest, more than 100 students from Basipitha School in Khunta Block of Mayurbhanj district undertook a 20-kilometre journey to present their grievances directly to the district collector on Tuesday.

As per reports, the students, primarily from class VII and class IX, expressed dissatisfaction over the inadequate food provisions in their hostel, alongside serious allegations of corporal punishment by the headmaster.

The students reportedly left the hostel campus at around 12 am and reached the office of Mayurbhanj Collector at around 6 am. Surprisingly, the school authorities and the headmaster had no information about the development.

Following the development, local residents gathered near the children and the district sub-collector reached the office to listen to the grievances of the students.

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District Collector’s promise

As District Collector Hema Kanta Say was reportedly busy, he addressed the students’ concerns via a video call, promising a thorough investigation into the hostel’s conditions. 

After receiving this assurance, the students reportedly returned to their school.

“We are provided stale, undercooked, and lower-quality food at our school. Whenever we complain we get a little bit of quality food for couple of days. However, lower quality of food is served again after some days,” rued a protesting student. 

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Later, Basipitha School headmaster reached the place. According to him, Rs 30 is provided by the government for each student to provide them food on a daily basis. However, the amount is not enough to provide them quality food.