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‘Child reporters’ display their innate talent

KORAPUT: They are articulate, intelligent to the extent of coming out with solution to problems, aware of their rights and sensitive to the happenings around. Welcome to the world of Child Reporters.

At the district-level congress organised on the premises of the tribal museum here on Saturday, they were oozing confidence and displayed their awareness levels on a host of issues like poverty, sanitation in schools, corporal punishment, wooing children to school. Over 80 child reporters representing the 14 blocks of the district aired their views on issues concerning them and the community they represent.

“Begging in the name of poverty has become a regular practice,” said Binod Kumar Nayak, a child reporter from Ekkamba Upper Primary School in Jeypore block, He was responding to a question from Biswajit Kuldeep, a fellow child reporter from Adamanda Upper Primary School in Dasmantpur block, on finding out the reason for poverty in the region, more particularly among the rural masses.

Evan Kandapan from Borigumma Upper Primary School questioned the rationale behind barring children from using toilets in some schools.

Taking note of the plight of children, Prasant Kumar Das, DPC of DPEP/SSA, assured the little reporter that schools would be directed to keep toilets open for children.

Another child reporter Kavita Hantal highlighted the need for using non-iodised salt in the mid-day meal served in schools if the children were to lead a healthy life. Pitambar Sahu, a retired doctor from Koraput, fully agreed with her and said that schools should use iodised salt.

Broaching the contentious issue of harsh treatment being meted out to children in schools, Amit Kumar Jena, a child reporter from Ramgiri, said despite several norms barring teachers from resorting to such acts, there was no let-up.

Responding to the charge, Narasingh Das, CRCC of Koraput, said corporal punishment should be dealt with seriously.

On poor quality of rice being served in schools, Biranchi Narayan Rath, Sub-Collector, assured the children that the administration would look into the matter.

“Festive occasions like annual function and annual sports are new reasons to attend school. But only a few schools are conducting such events while students of many other schools are not that lucky,” said Subhasree Mandangi from Forest Colony Upper Primary School in Koraput. The annual issue of ‘Ankurodgam’, the bulletin of child reporters, was released on the occasion.

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