VISAKHAPATNAM: Although the academic year began two months ago, 81 children from various hilltop tribal villages in Anakapalle district remain without formal education due to the delayed renewal of the Non-Residential Special Training Centres (NRSTCs) for 2024-25.
The affected villages include Buddepadu in Golugonda mandal, Anuku in Kotauratla, Mitrasi Colony in Mungapaka, and Pitrugedda in Rolugunta.
These NRSTCs, essential for delivering primary education to children in remote areas, are typically renewed on an annual basis. However, the centres have yet to reopen this year, resulting in the suspension of regular classes for tribal children.
Although enrolled in a mandal-level school and receiving mid-day meals, the children have been without proper instruction for the past two months due to the lack of teachers caused by the NRSTC's renewal delay. This issue has led to significant concern and protests from the tribal communities.
On Saturday, residents of Pitrugedda and Neellabandha, hilltop villages in Arla panchayat, held a demonstration demanding the renewal of the NRSTC in Pitrugedda. These villages, which house 15 families including 12 children aged 5-10 years, face a 20 km round trip to Arla, the nearest village with an operational school. Last year, after repeated requests, a training centre and a teacher were provided to Pitrugedda. Tribal leader K. Govind Rao led the protest, and parents voiced frustration over the delay.
“It has been two months since the academic year began, yet the centre remains unrenewed. While our children receive mid-day meals, they lack education. We urge the authorities to expedite the renewal of the NRSTC so our children can continue their basic education,” said parent Kilo Raju. Another parent, Marri Sanyasi Rao, added, “We are even willing to construct a road to our village through community efforts to ensure a teacher can commute if appointed.”