Bhubaneswar, Feb. 9: The school and mass education department has introduced a facility that allows students facing mental, physical or sexual harassment in schools or hostels from across the state to lodge complaints online.
The decision to go online was taken following the immense success of the helpline number that the department had launched in 2014. The toll free number for students - 1800 345 6722 - has received more than 2,500 complaints from schools across the state.
At present, the department is carrying out a 10-day training programme for its 400 officials on the modern way of lodging instant complaints at the click of the mouse.
A review conducted by the department today brought forward interesting facts about the grievance redress mechanism launched in October 2014.
These included 555 complaints on midday meals, 292 on negligence of duty by teachers, 127 on shortage of teachers and 62 complaints related to toilets. Also, there were 113 complaints related to civil works, 60 on unauthorised collection of money and 43 regarding textbooks. About 73 calls were made to give suggestions, congratulate and appreciate work of various school authorities.
Parents made 1,573 calls and the school and village education committees 212 more. Other calls were made directly by students, who usually call up with complaints related to bad teaching and corporal punishments, drinking water, scholarships, harassment of girls, private tuition, non-availability of uniform and others.
"The information on the toll-free number has been displayed in prominent places in all schools, including private ones. The helpline is open every working day from 8am to 8pm. The response so far has been overwhelming," said state project director, Odisha Primary Education Programme Authority, Mahendra Kumar Mallik, adding that the initiative has found mention in the United Nations Development Programme's policy magazine.
"Following complaints received on the helpline, the department initiates an inquiry. If found guilty, the teachers are punished in form of suspension, disengagement or salary hold-up," said a senior official in the department.
Complaints related to the works department and SC and ST development department are transferred to the departments concerned.
Rayagada raid
Vigilance sleuths today raided the house of Komotalapata forester under Rayagada Forest range, K. Jayaraju in connection with a disproportionate assets case.
The officials conducted raids at three places including Jayaraju's house near Mangala Temple.
According to sources, the sleuths seized Rs 9 lakh cash along with 70-gram gold ornaments form Jayaraju's possession. A 15-member vigilance team conducted raids at Jeypore, Rayagada, and Nabarangpur.
