Sonepur/Baripada: The students of several government and government-aided schools in Sonepur and Mayurbhanj districts are yet to get uniforms under the Sarva Sikhsya Abhiyan (SSA) even if the academic session is about to get over.
One of such glaring is the Gendupadar Primary School under Binika block in Sonepur district where school uniforms are yet to be distributed to students. As a result, the students are forced to wear torn uniforms while some are even coming to schools in civil dress.
Sources said thousands of students from Class I to VIII of 132 schools in the block are yet to get uniforms. This has now triggered resentment among the students and their parents.
A student of Gendupadar Primary School, Kailash Gadua said, “The session is about to end and we have not get uniforms. We are bound to wear torn dress."
“They used to get uniforms every year in August but they are yet to receive uniforms this year. As a result, they go to school in civil dress. It would be good if steps are taken to ensure uniforms are provided to students at the earliest,” said a parent, Achyut Bibhar.
On the other hand, headmaster of Gendupadar Primary School, Sudam Suna informed, "We have sent a report to the concerned authorities regarding the sanction of funds for the uniforms. But the funds have not been granted for some unknown reasons."
"While many schools have been granted funds for the uniforms, some schools which have their bank accounts in Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) or Gramin banks have some issues due to which funds are yet to be deposited. We will appraise the matter to the Collector and higher authorities," assured Sashi Bhusan Sethi, Block Development Officer (BDO) of Binika.
Similarly, around 44 students of Class VI and VII of Balangi M.E School under Madhuban in Baripada of Mayurbhanj district are yet to get school uniforms this year. As the school is government-aided, funds have not been allocated for the uniforms yet, sources said.
A student of the school said, "We only have one uniform to wear. We wash it after going home and wear the same the next day."
"Our school is aided and that is why the students are not getting uniforms. Last year, uniforms were distributed but funds are yet to be allocated for the uniforms," appealed a teacher at the school, Kanunbala Dash.