Over 300 Students at MP’s Eklavya Residential School Protest Poor Food Quality
In a dramatic turn of events at a government-run residential school in Madhya Pradesh’s Harda district, more than 300 students took to the streets on Saturday to voice their anger over the substandard quality of meals and inadequate living conditions. The students, enrolled at the Eklavya Model Residential School in Rahatgaon, scaled the hostel walls and embarked on a march to meet the district collector, causing a stir in the area.
Students Walk Miles in Bitter Cold to Reach Collector’s Office
Braving the intense morning chill, the tribal students began their roughly 40-kilometre journey on foot toward the collectorate to register their grievances. After covering about eight to nine kilometres, they were intercepted by Collector Siddharth Jain, who met them on the national highway near Sodalpur. Officials confirmed that the collector assured the students their concerns would be addressed promptly and arranged buses to transport them back to the school.
The students alleged that the hostel lacked even the most basic amenities, the food served was of poor quality, and the overall cleanliness of the premises was far below acceptable standards. They also claimed that the school’s principal had subjected them to mental harassment whenever they raised complaints about these issues.
What Are Eklavya Model Residential Schools?
Eklavya Model Residential Schools are government-funded institutions designed specifically for students from Scheduled Tribe communities. These schools aim to provide quality education from Class VI through Class XII while focusing on the holistic development of tribal children. The schools operate under the state’s Tribal Affairs Department, and the Madhya Pradesh Special and Academic Institution manages 63 such facilities across the state.
Funding for these institutions is allocated based on norms set by the National Tribal Students Education Committee in New Delhi, which operates under the Government of India. The committee establishes standards to ensure students receive proper facilities and services.
Collector Promises Action, Announces Committees
During his interaction with the protesting students, Collector Jain assured them that a parents’ committee would be constituted to monitor the quality of food served at the hostel. He also announced the formation of a dedicated contact committee to ensure swift resolution of student grievances. This committee would allow students to directly reach out to the collector or officials from the Tribal Affairs Department without any intermediary.
Speaking to journalists, Jain acknowledged that complaints had indeed surfaced against the school’s principal. He stated, “Seeing the seriousness of the students’ issues, I personally came to the spot. For now, the students have been persuaded to return. A thorough investigation will be conducted, and necessary action will follow.”
Local MLA Finds Serious Lapses in Kitchen and Drinking Water
Local Congress MLA Abhijeet Shah also visited the hostel to assess the situation firsthand. He told the media that several deficiencies were discovered in the food items stored in the kitchen. More alarmingly, when he inspected the drinking water tank, he found tree roots growing inside it. Shah shared a video of the finding with news agencies and demanded a comprehensive inquiry into the incident.
The protest highlights the ongoing challenges faced by tribal students in residential schools across the state, despite government assurances of quality education and care. The incident has drawn attention to the gap between policy intentions and on-ground implementation, particularly regarding food safety and basic hygiene standards.
Students who participated in the march expressed relief that their voices had finally been heard, though they remain cautiously optimistic about whether the promised changes will materialise. One student, speaking on condition of anonymity, said they had repeatedly complained about the issues but were ignored, which forced them to take such drastic measures.
The district administration has assured that the investigation will be completed at the earliest and strict action will be taken against those found responsible. The formation of the monitoring committees is expected to bring greater accountability to the school’s management and ensure that such incidents do not recur in the future.
