Case Study of the Day: Sampark, Odisha’s School Student Helpline

The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (RTE) guarantees the right to education for all children between the ages of 6 and 14 years. However, there are many challenges in ensuring that this right is realized, including corporal punishment, teacher absenteeism, and lack of awareness of children’s rights.

Initiative

• In 2012, the Department of School and Mass Education in Odisha launched a school student helpline service, Sampark. The helpline provides a toll-free number that students can call to report any problems they are facing in school. The helpline also provides counselling to distressed callers.

Impact

• The Sampark helpline has had a significant impact on the education system in Odisha. Since its launch, the helpline has received over 100,000 calls. These calls have resulted in the resolution of many problems, including corporal punishment, teacher absenteeism, and lack of access to education.
• The helpline has also helped to improve discipline in the education system. By providing a way for students to report problems, the helpline has made it more difficult for teachers to get away with corporal punishment or other forms of abuse.
• In addition, the helpline has helped to increase awareness of children’s rights. By providing counselling to distressed callers, the helpline has helped to empower students to know their rights and to demand that they are respected.

Conclusion

• The Sampark helpline has been a valuable tool for improving the education system in Odisha. The helpline has helped to resolve problems, improve discipline, and increase awareness of children’s rights. The helpline is a model for other states and organizations that are working to improve the education system for children.

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