Pathetic condition of tribal residential schools highlighted at two-day meet

Mangalore, July 24: A two-day convention of indigenous communities in the State, which concluded here on Monday, provided a platform to highlight the sorry state of residential schools for tribal children in the State.

The meet organized under the banner of Karnataka Rajya Moola Budakattu Samudayagala Samavesha discussed the problems faced by the residential schools in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Madikeri, Mysore and Hassan districts.

Manoj, a Koraga community member, pointed out that the students of one such school in Angadi Halli in Mysore were made to use the same glass in the toilet as well as for drinking purpose. Besides, the toilets did not have mugs and only two buckets of water was available for four toilets.

It was also pointed out that the teachers start classes only after September and the first three months of the academic year goes waste every year.

Hoovuraj from Hassan, speaking at the meet, said that the social welfare department officials only visit residential schools to monitor food and lamented that the children are sent to school to get quality education and not just food.

Gauri, Koraga community member from Kundapur, said that since the school was situated near a public school in town, very few students enrolled and the effort of the government has become a complete waste. Hunsur resident Raju, Hasalur community member Ramamurthy from Shimoga also poured out their woes.

Rajendra, a Soliga community member said that the addition of the Valmiki Nayaka community under the tribals list was a major problem to the other 12 tribal communities. He said the Valmiki Nayaka community fared better compared to other tribals in education and economic status.

Meanhwile, the convention decided to celebrate Adivasi Day on August 9 and the government will be urged to improve the status of education, healthcare and solve the land rights issues of the tribals of the State, said a participant.