A troubling incident has emerged from Rangaparu Girls’ High School in Kandhamal district, where a Class 10 tribal student has been confirmed pregnant, prompting police investigation and public outrage.
The government-run residential school, managed by the Department of Scheduled Caste Development, raised concerns when the girl returned late after summer vacation and declined sanitary napkins, leading staff to suspect irregularities in her menstrual cycle.
Subsequently, the school authorities summoned the girl’s family and facilitated a medical examination at a local health centre. The results confirmed that the girl was pregnant.
School headmaster Lingaraj Sahu filed a formal complaint at Tumudibandh Police Station. Acting on the complaint, IIC Ashutosh Jena registered Case No. 85/25 and confirmed that further investigation is underway.
The family stated that they were previously unaware of the girl’s condition, learning of it only after the school contacted them, and the medical test was conducted.
The incident has sparked criticism of the department’s oversight and raised serious questions about safety and support systems in tribal residential schools.
