Nagpur – Abhijit Deepke, the founder of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), has openly challenged state and central administrations for the abysmal state of tribal‑run schools across India. In a press briefing held in Nagpur, Deepke asserted that tribal education has been systematically ignored for decades, leaving generations of children without basic learning facilities.
Launch of the “Fix Tribal Schools” campaign
Deepke announced that the CJP will kick off a new nationwide movement called Fix Tribal Schools on 17 September, beginning in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district. The campaign will spotlight three core grievances: the constitutional right to education for tribal pupils, the chronic shortage of essential infrastructure, and the administrative hurdles that keep these schools under‑resourced.
On‑ground inspections
As part of the initiative, CJP volunteers will travel to tribal‑dominant regions, conduct walkthroughs of existing school premises, and document the reality of classrooms, toilets, drinking water, and teaching staff. The effort follows a previous “Fix Schools” drive that targeted deteriorating government schools in urban and rural areas.
Political priorities under scrutiny
Deepke questioned why political parties allocate massive budgets for constructing party offices while simultaneously claiming a lack of funds for tribal residential schools. He warned that such misplaced priorities deepen the divide between development rhetoric and the lived experiences of tribal communities.
Human cost of neglect
The CJP leader cited alarming statistics: more than 590 tribal students have died in Maharashtra over the past two years, including several tragic snake‑bite incidents. In Madhya Pradesh’s Balaghat district, over 30 children have lost their lives in just the last two months, according to Deepke’s data.
Inadequate compensation
Deepke also criticized state governments for offering token compensation to grieving families, arguing that genuine financial assistance and dignity are long overdue.
Closed Eklavya Model Residential Schools
Out of the 720 Eklavya Model Residential Schools sanctioned nationwide, 477 remain shut, depriving countless tribal children of quality residential education. Deepke highlighted the stark under‑representation of Scheduled Tribe (ST) students in premier institutions such as the IITs and called for a thorough audit of enrollment practices.
Demand for systemic change
Linking these failures to deep‑seated structural inequalities, Deepke urged the government to adopt concrete, time‑bound measures that will uplift tribal education, improve teacher recruitment, and ensure that every tribal child can access a safe, well‑equipped learning environment.
