In lieu of midday meal, teachers force students to carry firewood
In an inhumane act the students of a government school in Doda are forced to carry fire wood for preparation of midday meals (MDM).
The students of Government High School Dugrund, Bathrie in education zone Batyas of district Doda have been turned laborers to fetch the fire wood. “The school authorities instead of hiring the labourers force the students to carry firewood on their shoulders for preparation of midday meals,” said sources.
The students alleged they were asked by the school management to collect the fire wood themselves, if they want to get midday meals.
“We are ordered to carry firewood for preparation of meals. We don’t want to work but our teachers force us to do jobs,” said a student wishing anonymity.
Despite several policy initiatives and programmes undertaken allover India over the last decade with the basic objective of dealing with the problem of the rapidly increasing number of child workers, such incidents have continued in J&K especially in government run schools.
Chief Education Officer (CEO) Doda, Ajeet Singh refused to comment on the matter.
