Kendrapara: Primary schoolchildren are made to draw and carry water for midday meal in a government-run primary school in the district.

The students in government-run Netaji Upper Primary School at Kumarpada village in Mangalpur gram panchayat of Mahakalpada block trek around half-a-kilometre to draw bucketfuls of waters for the noon meal.

With hand pumps in the school lying defunct, the children are engaged in manual work of this nature much to the displeasure of parents and guardians. Child rights activist expressed concern over engagement of the children in such labour-intensive works during school hours and described it as an illegal and unethical practice. "The school authorities are not within their right to employ children in such manual labour. It goes against the spirit of the Right to Education Act," said rights activist Binayak Swain.

"Following the allegations, the matter is being inquired into. Disciplinary proceedings would be initiated against the errant teachers and the school headmaster on the basis of probe's findings," said block education officer Tanmay Kumar Behera.

The drinking water should have been drawn by the cook and his or her assistant, who are in charge of the midday meal. "Under no circumstances, children could be asked to draw water," he said.

In a similar unsavoury episode in the past, a lady teacher of a government-run primary school in Mahakalpada block had allegedly forced girl students to look after her infant son during school hours. Those students, who had defied the command to learn skill of childcare, were also allegedly meted out corporeal punishment.

In another instance, children had performed the rigorous physical work carrying bricks to building construction site in a school in Rajkanika block last year. Besides, students had to unwillingly perform the toilet-cleaning job by turn in another government-run school at Pattamundai last year.