Security Lapses at Satyabadi Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya
School Gate Remained Locked Until 8 AM on Republic Day
Students Forced to Wait on Highway Due to Delay in Opening
Satyabadi: 26.01.2024 (Deeptisundar Mahapatra) — While the entire nation celebrated the 75th Republic Day with patriotic fervor, and schools across the state—especially all 5T institutions—observed the day with events emphasizing cleanliness, punctuality, and child safety, an exception was witnessed at Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya in Satyabadi.
Despite prior communication to students via group messages instructing them to arrive by 7:00 AM, the school gate was not opened until 7:40 AM, and teachers only arrived by 8:00 AM. As a result, students were seen waiting dangerously along the side of the National Highway 316, near the school premises.
According to information received, the school had informed parents and auto drivers a day before that students must report by 7:00 AM for the flag hoisting at 8:00 AM, and school would be dismissed at 10:30 AM. However, even though students reached the school by 6:45 AM amid the cold morning, neither the security guard nor any staff was present, and the main gate remained locked. The alarming sight of young students wandering along the national highway raised serious safety concerns.
It was only after nearly an hour that the security guard arrived at 7:40 AM and opened the gate—a fact acknowledged by both the guard and school authorities. This raises a serious question: who would have been held accountable if an accident had occurred on the highway due to the school administration’s negligence?
When asked, the security guard explained that he had to leave for home the previous night due to his mother’s sudden illness. Although he tried to call school authorities and teachers, no one answered his calls, and he faced difficulties in returning early in the morning. This incident highlights a major gap in communication between the school administration and the security personnel.
Why were the teachers and administrators not present on time after instructing students to arrive early? Why was there no backup security or plan in place? Is this really a 5T school—where cleanliness, punctuality, and safety are supposed to be priorities? Or is it a place where children are left to roam the streets unsupervised?
That wasn’t the only concern. Even on Republic Day, the school premises were littered with broken glass bottles and alcohol containers. Cleanliness seemed to have been entirely neglected by the school authorities. The presence of drunkards and anti-social elements near the school gate paints a grim picture of the school’s security environment.
Complaints regarding the lack of safety around the school have been frequent, yet no concrete steps have been taken.
Now the question remains: when will the environment at Satyabadi Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya actually improve? Will any action be taken? And will the job of the helpless security guard be at risk?
