Struggle for education: Students cross watercourse to reach school in Odisha

Nabarangpur: Education seems to be an adventurous journey for children in the tribal district Nabarangpur of Odisha where they put their life at risk by crossing watercourse to reach school during monsoon.

As there is no bridge constructed on the watercourse and the condition of road is found very poor, the children of Meradanaguda and Baghaguda villages in Palia panchayat under Jharigaon block in the district have no option to reach the school other than crossing the watercourse by holding hands of each other.

The struggle of the students has never drawn the attention of sluggish administration, which campaigns for right to education and education for all.

According to reports, total 16 students of two villages study at Belajhari primary school. Every day, they used to cross a watercourse on their way to school. However, the situation remains miserable for them during monsoon when the water level rises and they strive to go to school by crossing the watercourse.

The parents of the children also help them cross the watercourse to reach the school.

Many a time, the residents of two villages have requested the district administration to construct a bridge on the Naramunda watercourse and repair the rural roads. However, their pleas yielded no results.

“If any mishap takes place while crossing the watercourse, the administration will be responsible for it,” said the villagers demanding the district administration for construction of bridge and repair of the roads at earliest.