The government’s action was in response to news reports that class 5 kids were struggling in mathematics and couldn’t recall simple tables, according to official sources.
The Odisha government has restricted access for media to several schools after news outlets revealed how poorly-prepared children were in mathematics, sparking a political controversy.
The fourth pillar of democracy, the press, cannot be prevented from attending a public institution, claimed Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in a rebuke of the state government’s action.
On Saturday, the Dhenkanal District Education Officer (DEO) issued instructions to Block Education Officers and school administrators not to permit unauthorised access by journalists to classrooms and schools and to report such incidents to the police. The Kendrapara district also received a similar order.
The government’s action was prompted by news reports that class 5 students were struggling in mathematics and couldn’t recall simple tables, according to official sources.
“Restrictions on media access to school campuses are improper. A school is a public institution in a democracy. While the media shouldn’t disrupt the learning process, the fourth pillar of democracy cannot be barred from entering campuses to gather news “Pradhan declared.
The state’s school and mass education secretary and BJP legislator Aparajta Sarangi said she was taken aback by the order.
“It is unfortunate and the order should be withdrawn immediately,” she said.
According to veteran Congressman Suresh Routray, this is not the first time that journalists have been subject to such limitations.
“They have yet to be admitted to the gathering under the name COVID-19. For the past two years, journalists have been prohibited from entering the state secretariat as well as the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack “said he.
Minister of School and Mass Education SR Dash defended the administration, claiming that while journalists had the right to call attention to wrongdoing, some online portal reporters were invading campuses without authorization and upsetting the learning environment.
Numerous journalism organisations in the state protested the action and called for its reversal. PTI SOM SOM AAM AAM
Prasanta Patnaik