State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) on Tuesday sent a member for an inspection at the school for deaf and mute children and orphans at Nivaranpur in the heart of the state capital.
Manoj Kumar, who spent around one-and-a-half-hours from 11am at Kshitiz Deaf and Dumb School run by Adim Jati Seva Mandal, an organisation registered under the Societies Registration Act XXI, appeared satisfied with the way the 86 children were being taught, but felt that the state government ought to provide financial support and also make provision of higher classes (VIII to X).
The school offers classes from I to VII. Out of the 86 students aged between five and 16 years, 35 are boarders while the rest are day scholars hailing from nearby areas.
Tuesday's visit was in keeping with the ongoing inspection drive being conducted at government schools by the SCPCR.
"Adim Jati Seva Mandal entirely depends on donation to run this school, but the organisation is trying its best to provide all educational facilities to the students. We want the state government to come forward and make provisions of higher classes as after completing Class VII, the students have nowhere to go. They are compelled to stay back at home," Kumar said,
The SCPCR added that during enquiry, the teachers said they had written to district superintendent of education (DSE) Jayant Mishra to add extra classes at the school.
"Three months ago, a request letter was handed over to DSE, but there has been no response so far. Hence, after preparing a detailed report of this school, I will be sending a reminder to DSE and also to state HRD minister Neera Yadav and HRD secretary Aradhana Patnaik to look into the matter."
During a round of the school, Kumar first interacted with the students and requested teachers to explain the sign language to him. Later, he also visited the hostel, where 35 children stay.
"They are not in need of care or protection. The school is well maintained. All they need is provision of higher classes and financial grant," he said.
Anil Kumar Lal, in-charge of Adim Jati Seva Mandal, said the visit brought them hope. "He assured us that additional classes and financial grant would be made available as early as possible. We need extra funds for maintenance also," he said.
