Full-time wardens now mandatory in tribal hostels of MP:Superintendents to stay with students overnight; minister Vijay Shah announces new system

The Madhya Pradesh government will take strict action to ensure the safety and discipline of girl students in tribal hostels. Tribal Affairs Minister Dr Kunwar Vijay Shah announced that hostel wardens who do not stay overnight will be removed from their posts. A new system is being introduced to prevent negligence at any level. 5,228 teachers serving as wardens Currently, 5,228 teachers are working as wardens in tribal hostels. Many of them do not teach regularly or dedicate full time to the hostels. This affects the education and safety of children. Minister Vijay Shah admitted that this is an injustice to the students. New full-time superintendent system The government will create a new warden system. Around 1,200 full-time superintendents will be appointed every year for the next three to four years. Teachers currently serving as wardens will return to their academic duties. Before the new academic session, about 3,000 superintendents will be appointed through outsourcing to ensure no hostel faces a shortage. Superintendents must stay overnight Safety of girl students is now a top priority. Every hostel will have a superintendent’s quarter. The superintendent must stay overnight with students. Strict action will be taken against those who do not comply. A special team of women officers will inspect hostels to check entry, exit, and overall arrangements. CCTV and biometric monitoring To improve surveillance, CCTV cameras and biometric machines will be installed in about 2,500 hostels. Every hostel, regardless of size, will be monitored. A complete record of student arrivals, departures, and meal quality will be maintained. Photos of meal plates must be sent daily to ensure proper nutrition. Police verification for employees From the upcoming academic session, no employee will be hired without police verification. Security guards and other staff will undergo thorough background checks. Any deficiency in security will be immediately corrected. Union Carbide site and gas relief updates Minister Vijay Shah also discussed the Union Carbide factory land in Bhopal. Waste removal has been completed with government funding and legal permissions. The land is now valuable, and the Chief Minister will decide its future. Gas victims will be treated in government and private hospitals, and Ayushman cards have been approved for them. Hi-tech schools in tribal blocks The government will expand education in tribal areas over three years. Sandipani Vidyalayas will be opened in every tribal development block. Eklavya Vidyalayas, Mata Shabari Kanya Shiksha Parisars, and Balak Adarsh Awasiya Vidyalayas will also be established. Smart classes, labs, and libraries will be upgraded to provide quality education. Art centres to preserve tribal culture Art centres will be built in 88 tribal blocks to strengthen cultural identity. Gond painting from Dindori has a GI tag. Seven other tribal products, including Galshan Mala, Pithora painting, tribal dolls, and musical instruments, are in the GI process. Tribal women’s cafeterias and village development Cafeterias run by self-help groups will be set up in Pachmarhi, Mandu, Kanha-Kisli, Pench, and Bandhavgarh to provide livelihoods for tribal women. The Dharti Aaba Tribal Village Upliftment Campaign has connected millions of families with housing, electricity, roads, water, and health facilities. Mobile medical units, Van Dhan Vikas Kendras, and hostels are also being built rapidly. Focus on safe and quality education Minister Vijay Shah said the government aims to ensure tribal girl students study in a safe environment. Expanding hostels, monitoring staff, and improving educational facilities are key steps to help students progress and join the mainstream of society.