DHENKANAL: Notwithstanding huge amount of funds being pumped in by the State and Central governments for success of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), the flagship programme has failed to evoke positive response in the backward regions of Dhenkanal.At Sabar Sahi under Similia education circle, there are 30 tribal children (between 6 and 12 years of age) who do not go to school. This despite the fact that their houses are located just 500 mt from the existing primary school. While their parents claimed that they are all daily wagers and cannot afford education for their wards, no efforts have allegedly been made by the SSA authorities in the area to make them aware of provision of free and compulsory education for the kids at the school.In the tribal-dominated Kankadahada block, hundreds of children drop out of schools every year due to lack of proper education. Students alleged that learning in their schools is limited to just textbooks and there are no vocational activities.Language barrier is yet another factor that keeps the students in Balikuma and Tarinipasi gram panchayats away from schools. “With teachers taking classes in Oriya, tribal students skip the classes as they do not understand any language other than Santhali,” said social worker Umakant Mohanta.SSA district coordinator U N Das said that there were just 20 teachers for the schools in tribal areas who can speak both Oriya and Santhali languages. “But this is inadequate,” Das added. Sources said although the government sanctioned ` 57 crore to Dhenkanal district for 2011-12 financial year, the funds are mostly being spent on infrastructure development and salaries.
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