More than 140 students of Sanatemara Government Upgraded High School under Jharigam block, Nabarangpur district, left their hostel on Thursday morning, protesting poor food quality and inadequate facilities.
Carrying their school bags, the students left around 9 a.m. and began walking home, covering nearly 10 km before officials managed to intervene.
School authorities, including Headmistress Rajalaxmi Maharana, ABEO Dasharath Gond, CRCC Padarabinda Mahalik, and WEO Amit Kumar Nayak, persuaded the students to stop at Dukalupada Government Upper Primary School, where they were served rice and dalma with teachers’ assistance.
The Sanatemara hostel, opened in 2017, accommodates students from Jharigam, Umerkote, Raighar, and Papadahandi blocks. Despite a capacity of 200, around 140 students have been staying in three cramped classrooms, raising concerns over hygiene and living conditions.
Officials have informed the Block Education Officer and District Administration about the incident, and an inquiry into the hostel’s management and food supply is expected.
