Bhubaneswar Aug. 23: The Kumjharia Government High School in Kuanrmnuda block of tribal-dominated Sundargarh district has bagged the cleanest school award of the central government.

The Union ministry of human resources development selected the school, located at a remote corner of the district.

Home to 1,068 tribal students, the school gives a different feeling altogether. "I feel proud as a parent of a student of the school," said Hari Singh, whose child is studying there.

"Apart from studies, students also take part in many extra-curricular activities and cleanliness drive," said a local resident. Established in 1958, this 59-year-old school took a turn for the better when Sanjay Samal took charge as an assistant teacher in 2004. Samal gave a new dimension to teaching and overall management of the school, said another local resident.

"My first objective has always been to provide an atmosphere conducive for teaching. Cleanliness naturally comes as the priority, along with academics," said Samal, who is now a headmaster.

The Kumjharia gram panchayat is a groundwater spar-se area. Samal took up the challenge and persuaded a local landowner to dig up a deep bore well. "The person agreed, and this helped all, including my students who are staying in the hostel," said Samal.

Keeping in view the acute fresh and groundwater shortage in the area, the school is also planning to have a groundwater recharging facility. "I am planning for a facility of groundwater recharging. I will shortly approach the government with this request. I also plan to start a cleanliness awareness drive," he said.

At present, there are more than 400 girls and boys staying in separate hostels of the school. "They no more have to go out for attending to nature's call and taking bath as we have made provisions for toilets. We have our overhead water tank. The lavatories for the students are equipped with all required facilities and are well-maintained," he said.

A few days ago, Sundargarh collector Nitin Bhardwaj had visited the school and "he was very impressed," claimed Samal. The collector had assured that he would provide all amenities possible to make it as a model school.

Job scam

A group of unemployed young women today met Anandapur sub-collector in Keonjhar district and alleged that a skill development training institute had duped them promising them jobs. They claimed that the institute had given them fake appointment letters after completion of nursing and tailoring training courses.