Concern over the inadequate facility in the girls-only residential school in Koppal district in North Karnataka has led to an action against the teacher in charge of the institution. It is reportedly claimed that the institution doesn't have doors for its toilets and bathrooms.
As per the report by TOI, H Anjinappa, assistant coordinator of the department of Samagra Shikshana, launched an inspection of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya in Betageri, Koppal taluk on January 16, after several students complained that the hostel restrooms lack safety, doors, and hygiene.
In response, Deputy Director of Public Instruction (DDPI), Srishail Biradar, issued an order to suspend school head teacher Kasturi Badiger after the report. However, the suspension order has not been implemented yet.
Balika Vidyalaya, established by the Union government and funded through government grants, currently has 120 students enrolled in Classes 6, 7, and 8. The school and hostel buildings are adjacent to each other.
Mismanagement With Hostel Grants
According to the Deputy Director of Public Instruction (DDPI), Kasturi serves as the head teacher at the Government Model Higher Primary School in Betageri and is also the nodal officer for the Vidyalaya hostel. During an inspection, it was found that the hostel’s toilets and bathrooms lacked doors.
The DDPI held the head teacher accountable for potential health issues among students caused by mosquito bites, as the hostel's windows did not have protective nets. Additionally, he noted that the head teacher had not properly documented hostel grants received from the state office. She stated that the records were with the block education office when questioned.
Further, it was found that coconut oil, notebooks, and tracksuits—provided for free by the government—had not been fully distributed to the hostel students. The report by Anjinappa highlighted that the children were being supplied with untreated tubewell water, which was also being used for cooking.