Student Death Sparks Scrutiny of Food Safety in Odisha's Ashram Schools
The tragic death of a Class 5 student at Kakabandh Ashram School in Mayurbhanj district has ignited widespread concern over food quality and safety in state-run residential institutions catering to tribal students across Odisha. The incident, which occurred on April 14, is alleged to have resulted from food poisoning after the consumption of stale meals served at the school hostel on April 12.
Details of the Incident and Allegations
According to preliminary reports, the student, identified as Rupali Besra, fell ill after eating pakhala, saga bhaja, and aloo bharta that were reportedly spoiled. Her mother, Sibani Besra, has alleged that these items were cooked for lunch on Saturday and then served as breakfast on Sunday, instead of the scheduled menu of upma and curry. This practice directly violates established mess management guidelines for residential schools under the ST and SC development department, which prohibit serving leftover food and mandate a displayed weekly menu.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause of death, pending further investigation. However, the incident has triggered outrage among local communities and education activists, who point to a pattern of negligence in some ashram schools. In February last year, over 100 tribal students at Basipitha High School in the same district complained to the collector about being served stale and substandard food, highlighting ongoing issues.
Systemic Failures and Monitoring Gaps
Educationists and activists argue that food hygiene, storage, and monitoring are often overlooked in these institutions, putting students' health at significant risk. Gajapati-based educationist Kailash Dandapat emphasized that this is not an isolated concern, citing repeated complaints about meal quality in many residential schools. He called for the department to strengthen its monitoring system, noting that the existing mechanism is ineffective.
Hostel management in these schools is overseen by school heads, with regular teachers serving as assistant superintendents responsible for safety, security, and mess operations. Food preparation and service are handled by cooks-cum-attendants (CCAs), who also manage student safety at night, with one CCA appointed for every 50 boarders. Kakabandh Ashram School, for instance, has close to 200 boarders, raising questions about resource adequacy.
Official Responses and Investigations
In response to the incident, collector Hemakant Say reported that a medical team from Cuttack collected water and food samples from the hostel and school on Monday, all of which tested safe. However, samples of the food served on Sunday could not be obtained as it had already been consumed, complicating the investigation. Further tests are underway to ascertain the exact cause of the student's death.
A senior official from the ST and SC development department stated that an RDC probe has been initiated as per the chief minister's directive, with strict action promised if negligence is established. The official affirmed that food safety protocols are in place in hostels and any lapses will be dealt with firmly. The department administers 1,762 educational institutions across Odisha, including 1,612 residential schools from primary to higher secondary levels, catering to nearly 5.46 lakh hostel students.
Guidelines and Potential Consequences
The mess management guidelines clearly state that serving leftover food constitutes gross negligence on the part of the hostel superintendent and may invite strict disciplinary action, including criminal proceedings. This underscores the seriousness with which such violations are viewed, yet incidents persist, indicating a need for better enforcement and oversight.
As investigations continue, the death of Rupali Besra serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by tribal students in residential schools. It calls for urgent reforms to ensure that food safety is prioritized, monitoring systems are robust, and accountability is enforced to prevent future tragedies.
