Childhood Lost in the Forest: 82 Tribal Children in MP Miss Board Exams Amid School Absence

Barwani, Madhya Pradesh: While Class 5 board exams began across Madhya Pradesh on Friday, 82 children from Khedi Falia, a remote tribal hamlet in Pati Block, were unable to take the exams. Fear of dense forests, wild animals, and difficult terrain prevented these children from attending school throughout the academic year, putting their educational future at risk. Villagers have long demanded a school within the settlement.

Lack of Schools Forces Children Away from Classrooms

Khedi Falia, located approximately 55 kilometers from the district headquarters of Barwani, is home to around 40 families. Among them are 82 children aged 6 to 14, yet the hamlet lacks a primary school. Instead of textbooks and school bags, these children spend their days herding cattle, helping with farming, or playing traditional games like gilli-danda and marbles.

The nearest primary school is about 4 kilometers away, but the route passes through dense forests and streams. During the monsoon, the path becomes even more treacherous. Villagers Mohan and Kirasha explained that parents fear sending young children on this unsafe journey, especially due to the threat of wild animals and isolated stretches.

Many Never Enrolled

Several children have never been enrolled in school, while others gradually dropped out due to distance and insecurity. Despite repeated appeals to local representatives and the education department for a primary school in the hamlet, no survey or concrete action has been taken. Villagers insist that a school within Khedi Falia would ensure regular attendance and learning for the children.

Officials Acknowledge the Problem

Dinesh Chauhan, Block Resource Coordinator (BRC) of Pati, confirmed that a report highlighting the educational deprivation of these 82 children was sent to the District Project Coordinator, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Barwani on February 18. While the children are technically enrolled, parents cannot send them to school due to safety and distance concerns.

Ashraf Khan, the District Project Coordinator and in-charge District Education Officer, stated that transportation facilities for students are being considered in the annual work plan. He also noted that similar challenges exist in two to three other remote areas of the district.

Villagers Seek Immediate Action

After losing an entire academic year, villagers now hope for swift administrative intervention to ensure that the children of Khedi Falia can access their right to education and return to classrooms without fear.