Tribal kids’ protest sparks call for education equality

Children from Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) residing in remote corners of the ASR district have ignited a powerful movement, staging a sit-in protest to demand the establishment of a school and the appointment of teachers. Families from Kothaguda, Goppilapalem, Kadarevu, and Kalyana Gummi villages have united in their plea to the government, pledging to raise funds for school construction while urging authorities to fulfill their desperate need for education.
Approximately 50 Konda Dora tribal families reside in these villages. There are 78 children between the ages of five and ten who possess a keen desire for learning. Currently, however, they face a significant obstacle: a daunting six-kilometer trek through dense forests, encompassing multiple streams and uneven terrain, to reach the Ananthagiri Mandal Panchayat Centre school situated in Bodugaru village.
The treacherous nature of this journey, particularly during the rainy season, has resulted in a concerning dropout rate among the children. Many are forced to abandon their education altogether due to the impracticalities of the commute. Parents, including Mamidi Vijay Kumar, Korra Bhimanna, and Rapa Raja Rao, have fervently petitioned the district collector for the appointment of teachers and have even volunteered to assist in the construction of temporary school structures.
The villagers have formally requested the ASR district Collector and Paderu ITDA Project Officer to deploy two teachers – one stationed in Kalyan Gummi and another serving the remaining three villages. Additionally, they have pledged to construct a temporary school building using their own resources. Furthermore, they have emphasized the urgent need for a road to connect their villages to essential medical facilities.
Recognising the gravity of the situation, Paderu District Education Officer, P Brahmaji Rao, has mandated a comprehensive assessment of the villages by the Ananthagiri Mandal Education Officer (MEO).Children from Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) residing in remote corners of the ASR district have ignited a powerful movement, staging a sit-in protest to demand the establishment of a school and the appointment of teachers. Families from Kothaguda, Goppilapalem, Kadarevu, and Kalyana Gummi villages have united in their plea to the government, pledging to raise funds for school construction while urging authorities to fulfill their desperate need for education.
Approximately 50 Konda Dora tribal families reside in these villages. There are 78 children between the ages of five and ten who possess a keen desire for learning. Currently, however, they face a significant obstacle: a daunting six-kilometer trek through dense forests, encompassing multiple streams and uneven terrain, to reach the Ananthagiri Mandal Panchayat Centre school situated in Bodugaru village.
The treacherous nature of this journey, particularly during the rainy season, has resulted in a concerning dropout rate among the children. Many are forced to abandon their education altogether due to the impracticalities of the commute. Parents, including Mamidi Vijay Kumar, Korra Bhimanna, and Rapa Raja Rao, have fervently petitioned the district collector for the appointment of teachers and have even volunteered to assist in the construction of temporary school structures.
The villagers have formally requested the ASR district Collector and Paderu ITDA Project Officer to deploy two teachers – one stationed in Kalyan Gummi and another serving the remaining three villages. Additionally, they have pledged to construct a temporary school building using their own resources. Furthermore, they have emphasized the urgent need for a road to connect their villages to essential medical facilities.
Recognising the gravity of the situation, Paderu District Education Officer, P Brahmaji Rao, has mandated a comprehensive assessment of the villages by the Ananthagiri Mandal Education Officer (MEO).