Engaging school children to clean toilets triggered a public outcry in Paradip prompting the school and mass education department officers to promptly order a probe. The school in question is the Srimaa Nodal Vidyapeeth in Paradipgarh.
It is illegal and violates child rights law and yet such incidents take place, decried local people alleging that often teachers ask students to do other manual work.
Allegations are that the said primary school has no peon or sweeper and students are often asked to keep the premises and toilets clean.
Headmaster Mr Duryodhan Sethy said, “The total strength of this school is 750 having 27 teaching staff, one clerk, one peon and one watchman cum sweeper. I come to this high school for three days because I am given charge of the headmaster in two high schools. In my absence, teachers have allegedly engaged students to clean the toilets so I have interrogated all the teachers to identify the errant teacher”.
Meanwhile, guardians has submitted a memorandum to the higher authorities with a video recording of children cleaning toilets. The Block Education Officer of Kujang Mr Krutibas Barik said, “After getting the allegation, I have sent a team to the school to conduct an inquiry. If, teachers are found guilty, due action will be taken on them”, he said.