Education / Worm-Infested Rice, ‘Drunk’ Headmaster: Bisipur Ashram School Students Leave Hostel

Udala, Sep 21: Students of Bisipur Ashram School left the hostel in protest and walked around 8 km on Monday after allegedly being deprived of basic facilities, including drinking water and electricity, at the hostel for more than two months, a source said.

According to the students, around 100 boys and 150 girls are staying in the school hostel. They alleged that the hostel has been facing a drinking water and electricity shortage for over two months. They also claimed that worm-infested rice is being served to the boarders.

The students said they had repeatedly brought the problems to the notice of the hostel authorities and the matron. According to them, the matron had also informed the Headmaster about the issues, but no effective steps were taken to address them.

The students further alleged that Headmaster Surendranath Soren often comes to school in an inebriated condition and assaults male students.

Kabita Krishna Tudu, a Class-X student, said, “We are given worm-laced rice to eat. Our Headmaster Surendranath Soren regularly comes in an inebriated state to the school. He beats the boys.”

Another student, Manisha Hansda, alleged, “The Headmaster says that we are orphans. The water tank of the school has also damaged.”

With their grievances allegedly remaining unresolved despite repeated complaints, the students on Monday left the hostel and set out on foot to meet the Block-level Welfare Extension Officer and education officials.

Also Read: 'Enough Is Enough!' Why 180 Students Walked Away From Govt Hostel in Odisha's Nabarangpur?

The students were walking along the State Highway connecting Udala and Baripada when police and school authorities stopped them and tried to persuade them to return. However, the students continued their journey and proceeded towards the officials, covering around 8 km on foot.

Basanto Soren, a hostel official, acknowledged that the rice issue had been raised with the Headmaster. “I had repeatedly told the Headmaster about the rice issue. However, it could not be solved,” he said.

The allegations regarding the Headmaster's conduct and the reported lack of basic facilities could not be independently verified from the school authorities immediately.