Government plans ashram schools in Palamu

JAMSHEDPUR: The West Singhbhum district administration has decided to set up residential schools in the Maoist-affected Saranda-Porahat region to prevent children in the economically backward villages here from joining rebel outfits.
The education department's district office has already identified a plot for the proposed ashram school project under which schools will be set up in Red-hit villages to give shelter to deprived children."To begin with we have identified a place in Manoharpur block in the Saranda forest area, which is largely Maoist-dominated," said district education officer (DEO) Rajnikanth Verma, adding that initially, two units would be launched.
Each unit will provide food and shelter and impart primary education to 100 children of the adjoining villages. "The project will run in cooperation with the welfare department," said the DEO.
Sources in the district administration informed that instructions have been given to the concerned agencies to commence ashram school project at the earliest. "If things go according to plan then probably it will begin functioning in the next couple of weeks. Instructions to the education and the welfare departments have been given in this regard," said an administrative officer deputed in Porahat.
Refraining from divulging details on the funds earmarked for the project, the administrative officer said the proposal has been approved. "Authorities have assured that funds will not be a constraint to ensure effective implementation of the ashram school project in our district," said the administrative officer requesting anonymity.
On July 5 last, the district police jointly with the CRPF personnel rescued 16 schoolchildren from Maoist's clutches while teenagers were being taken to Sonua-Porahat forest area to join extremists' bal dasta (children squad). The teenagers were lured into join the training camp, conducted by CPI(Maoist) commander Jeevan Kandulan on a monthly assistance of Rs 400. Besides, they were promised mobile phones and digital cameras.
B Sridhar
Jamshedpur: The West Singhbhum district administration has decided to set up residential schools in the Maoist-affected Saranda-Porahat region to prevent children in the economically backward villages here from joining rebel outfits.
The education department's district office has already identified a plot for the proposed ashram school project under which schools will be set up in Red-hit villages to give shelter to deprived children. "To begin with we have identified a place in Manoharpur block in the Saranda forest area, which is largely Maoist-dominated," said district education officer (DEO) Rajnikanth Verma, adding that initially, two units would be launched.
Each unit will provide food and shelter and impart primary education to 100 children of the adjoining villages. "The project will run in cooperation with the welfare department," said the DEO.
Sources in the district administration informed that instructions have been given to the concerned agencies to commence ashram school project at the earliest. "If things go according to plan then probably it will begin functioning in the next couple of weeks. Instructions to the education and the welfare departments have been given in this regard," said an administrative officer deputed in Porahat.
Refraining from divulging details on the funds earmarked for the project, the administrative officer said the proposal has been approved. "Authorities have assured that funds will not be a constraint to ensure effective implementation of the ashram school project in our district," said the administrative officer requesting anonymity.
On July 5 last, the district police jointly with the CRPF personnel rescued 16 schoolchildren from Maoist's clutches while teenagers were being taken to Sonua-Porahat forest area to join extremists' bal dasta (children squad).The teenagers were lured into join the training camp, conducted by CPI(Maoist) commander Jeevan Kandulan on a monthly assistance of Rs 400. Besides, they were promised mobile phones and digital cameras.