Mysuru: The appointment of caretakers to ashram schools by the state govt has brought cheers to thousands of vulnerable Adivasi students studying in state-run 119 Maharshi Valmiki Ashram Residential Schools across the state, including 19 in Chamarajanagar district.
The appointment is likely to boost enrolment of Adivasi children and help them continue with their education.
The department of tribal affairs has set aside a grant of Rs 4.8 crore for payment to caretakers. One caretaker will be appointed at each ashram school.
Speaking to TOI, Chamarajanagar District Tribal Welfare officer H S Bindya said the tribal department has initiated measures for appointment of caretakers to all 19 Maharshi Valmiki Ashram Residential schools in the district. Preference will be given to local Adivasi women as caretakers, she said.
Caretakers are appointed to manage student dormitories, oversee day-to-day health, hygiene, nutrition requirements, and provide a secure environment in such schools.
Tribal leaders have been demanding that the govt appoint caretakers to schools as many Adivasis living in thick forested areas are reluctant to enrol their children in schools, particularly girls.
Currently 15,843 students are studying from class 1 to 12 in 119 schools across the state, including 1,700 students in Chamarajanagar district alone. Mysuru and Kodagu have the highest number of ashram schools after Chamarajanagar.
Even though the govt provides all facilities, teaching and other staff to such schools, caretakers were never appointed. Following their demands, the state govt had announced the appointment of caretakers in the 2025-26 budget.
Thanking the govt for its initiative, Mahadevu, the Chamarajanagar Soliga Tribal Welfare association vice-president, said this fulfils a long-pending demand from the community as most of the parents were hesitant to admit their children to schools owing to lack of caretakers.
