Odisha villagers use wall writing to demand better school infrastructure

By A Representative
In a unique move, Odisha villagers chosen wall-writing to put forth their demand on education in its efforts to urge the state government to build school infrastructure and start remedial classes for weak students of government-run schools. Part of the Mission 3-5-8 programme, which seeks remedial classes for weak students by August 15, more than 6000 wall writings have been put in the walls across 17 rural districts in the state.
Naba Kishor Pujari, a civil society leader, said, the campaign was prompted on finding that “first-generation learners in remote villages, especially in tribal areas, lack online and community resources to learn at home during the lockdown, as mandated by the government. Though the government has started online classes, it has benefited only few, those residing in semi-urban areas and those who have access to electronic gadgets.”
“Despite our efforts, the state government has yet to take any step on our demand. As a parents, we can see the failing state of education in our state as our children are deprived of school education since when the Covid-19 induced lockdown was announced. Therefore, we chose wall-writing to bring the attention of the state government”, added Sudhakar Pradhan, a parent of a government school child from Dakarbadi village of Kandhalam district.
“Wall writing has been an effective means of communication as we reach more number of people through our campaigns than the meetings we do. Covid-19 has created another restriction to hold meetings. Therefore, we chose the medium”, asserted Sabitri Majhi, who works as a Janasathi in Lok Bikash Mancha, a people’s collective which has joined the nationwide campaign Hamari Maang: Achha School, Sudharatmak Siksha.