Question : Death of Children in Residential Schools

(a) whether a large number of tribal children have reportedly lost their lives in State-run residential schools across the country during the last three years;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor, State/UT-wise;

(c) whether the Government has conducted any inquiry/investigation in this regard and if so, the details and the outcome thereof along with the follow-up action taken thereon;

(d) whether there has been a demand/request from various State Governments to establish schools in the tribal dominated areas and if so, the details thereof alongwith the action taken/being taken by the Government thereon, State/UT-wise; and

(e) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to provide basic facilities such as drinking water, toilets and healthcare in the schools located in the tribal dominated areas in the country?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI MANSUKHBHAI DHANJIBHAI VASAVA)

(a)& (b) Deaths of tribal children studying in residential schools have been reported from some states.Major reasons for these deaths include illness, accident, snake bite, drowning etc. On the basis of information received from various State Governments, State-wisenumber of tribal children who have reportedly lost their lives in State-run residential schools across the country are as under: -
States Period Number of deaths
Maharashtra 2001 to 2015-16 1077
Odisha 2010-11 to 2014-15 133
Telangana 2014-15 to 2015-16 26
Andhra Pradesh 2001 to 2013-14 14
Gujarat 2001 to 2012-13 10
Chhattisgarh 2001 to 2012-13 47

The other states have not reported any deaths.
(c) Report from the State Governments were called for and advisories have been issued by the Ministry to all the State Governments in this regard.

(d) The Ministry provides funds for construction of School building on the basis of need assessment done by the State Governments.

(e) Provision for drinking water & toilets is an integral part of plan layout of construction. Ministry has issued advisories to State Governments regarding health, hygiene and nutritional security of the tribal students enrolled in these schools. Ministry is also providing funds to ensure these facilities, where not available, in the existing schools.
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