C B Singh Rayagada

Thedeath of 10-year-old Chandu Ulaka, a Class IV boarder at Suri Upper Primary School’s SSD hostel in Rayagada district, has once again cast a harsh spotlight on the management of tribal residential schools. The student’s death from malaria has exposed critical shortcomings in the district’s residential education system, highlighting severe gaps in health surveillance, emergency medical response, and hostel management.

Sources said at least 10 inmates have died over the past 11 months across various SSD residential schools and hostels in Rayagada. Most of the victims were Scheduled Tribe (ST) students, the primary beneficiaries of these state-run facilities.

Among the reported cases is Nandini Tadingi, a Baising Primary Ashram School student, who died on October 29 last year. While local residents claim five hostel inmates have died at the institution over the past two years, this remains unverified. Other recent student fatalities include Geeta Majhi, Lagna Ulaka, Manisha Mandangi, Ashok Jhodia, Jackson Mandangi, Tapaswini Piribaka, Saroj Tadingi, Manas Sabar and Chandu Ulaka. All the victims were inmates of residential schools and hostels across Dangalodi, Durgapadu, Baising, Kucheipadar, Panichhatra-Bhoimada, Paikapada, Bilesu and Padmapur.

Previously, the tragic death of Judas Sabar, found hanging inside a Tolana Upper Primary School classroom, sparked statewide outrage and intensified calls for stricter accountability in residential institutions.

Chandu Ulaka tragically died during treatment at the Kolnara Community Health Centre after his condition deteriorated. School authorities stated the student initially developed a fever, and a blood test confirmed malaria, for which he received medication. Following his death, family members alleged that they were denied a government mortuary vehicle, forcing them to transport the child’s body home on a motorcycle.

While departmental inquiries were conducted, local residents and community representatives allege accountability stopped at lower-level functionaries. These claims remain unconfirmed as official findings are not made public.

The recurring incidents expose critical failures in routine health screening, emergency referral, hostel supervision and institutional accountability in SSD residential schools. In response, civil society members and local stakeholders demand an independent high-level inquiry and a comprehensive social audit of SSD residential schools in the district.

Attempts to contact the District Welfare Officer (DWO), Rayagada, regarding the recent incidents have gone unanswered.