Madikeri: Parents and guardians of students belonging to the tribes mainly living close to the forest areas demanded an improvement in the quality of education and food in Ashrama schools. They wanted the government to upgrade them, in line with schools in the neighbouring Kerala, during a protest in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Madikeri on February 23.
Leading the protesters, Karnataka Forest Based Tribal Communities Federation Secretary Shailendra accused the authorities of depriving the children of quality education, food, health and other basic amenities despite assurances in the past.
Assurances have only remained on paper even after submission of a report on the poor status of schools to the government, Shailendra alleged.
Karnataka Forest Based Tribal Communities Federation President Rajalakshmi accused the departmental officials of only collecting information without improving the quality of education.
Their demands included starting Navodaya type schools (presently Kerala has such model schools) up to Grade 12, transferring the onus of education to education department and other responsibilities to social welfare department, forming a supervisory committee by involving all the stakeholders and providing permanent jobs to teachers working on contract basis.
They urged the government to allocate separate funds in the forthcoming budget for the purpose. The state has 116 Ashrama schools meant for tribes with 12 in Kodagu district.
