Teachers of residential schools meant for SC and ST students ('Sevashram') in Koraput district have been asked to give priority to health of students and sanitation in hostels.
At a meeting held recently, teachers in the tribal dominated district were asked to focus on overall safety and security of the inmates, an official said.
"The teachers will have to take attendance twice and not allow the students to leave the hostel. The principals have been asked to organise monthly health check-ups of the inmates. Also, the ANMs (auxiliary nursing midwifery) will maintain a health record of the girls," said Koraput district Collector, Jaya Kumar V.
At present, the administration has posted 49 ANMs for sevashrams and each ANM has been given the charge of five to six sevashrams where she will conduct health check-up of girl inmates on a regular basis.
Officials said, according to guidelines, if any case of sexual assault comes to light in the sevashrams, it is the duty of the hostel authority to immediately inform the district administration and lodge a complaint at the nearest police station.
On February 4, 2015, a 12 year-old class VI girl of Umuri sevashram had delivered a child in the hostel and this was followed by a Class VIII student of Kandulbeda sevashram delivering a baby on February 6.
"The teachers have been asked to ensure that students are provided quality food and none of them are engaged in hostel cores. Education and safety of students at sevashrams are our priority," he said.
Apart from academic activities, the teachers have been asked to promote sports and cultural activities in sevashrams to ensure overall development of students, he added.
There are 156 sevashrams and 311 hostels with around 46,000 students in Koraput district. These are being run by the ST/SC development department.
District welfare officer (Koraput) Trinath Rao said, It has been decided to have a review meeting in every three months regarding the functioning of the sevashrams.
