ALAPPUZHA: Scores of children in the R-block of Kainakary grama panchayat, who have been denied boat service by the State Water Transport Department (SWTD), are still having to walk a long distance to reach school.
The pathetic situation of students, a majority of them belonging to the SC community, comes at a time when the Central and State governments were busy implementing the Right to Education Act.
S. Sudhimon, president of the Kainakary grama panchayat, says that the panchayath administration was helpless in this. "It has to be done by the State Water Transport Department (SWTD) which conducts daily services in the area.
We have raised the issue with several officers and politicians, including Opposition leader VS Achuthanandan. But nothing has materialised," he says.
"The education of these students has become a miserable process in the wake of the suspension two years ago of a boat service, run by the SWTD, through the Kamalante Moola jetty, which is near the children's homes.
We are now planning to reach out to the Chief Minister as the last resort to find a solution," says Sunil P.Padmanabhan, ward member, who is also health standing committee chairman of the panchayat.
Meanwhile, SWTD is still clinging to technical criteria in justifying the absence of this boat service from Kamalante Moola Jetty. "This particular service is technically not viable for SWTD to conduct.
The Opposition leader had given us some instructions in this regard. But, it requires top level decisions to clear the hurdles," says Shaji V Nair, Director, SWTD.
Anitha, a parent, says she was unable to accompany her child every day as she is daily wager. "Walking a long distance through the outer bund is not easy. It's dangerous even for adults.
Our children have no choice. The parents here have raised this issue before all the authorities. I have lost faith in their promises," she laments.
