Bihar schoolgirls turn Raksha Bandhan into a call for safer schools, raise concerns

A Raksha Bandhan celebration at the Dhanbad Collectorate turned into an open discussion on school infrastructure and girls' safety. Schoolgirls tied rakhis to senior officials and spoke directly about problems they face in and around their schools.Bihar schoolgirls turn Raksha Bandhan into a call for safer schools, raise concernsRaksha Bandhan took a different turn at the Dhanbad Collectorate this year when schoolgirls from government schools tied rakhis to senior district officials and then used the occasion to speak about problems affecting their schools.The students tied handmade rakhis to officials, including the Deputy Commissioner and Senior Superintendent of Police, highlighting the traditional brother-sister bond. But the interaction soon moved beyond the festival as students spoke about damaged school buildings, missing basic facilities and safety concerns on their way to school.The officials listened to the students and assured them that the concerns raised would be looked into.RAKHIS, THEN REAL QUESTIONSThe students' handmade rakhis became part of an interaction that gave them a direct platform to speak to the district administration. Some students pointed to infrastructure problems, including classrooms, boundaries and playgrounds that need attention. Others raised concerns about harassment and eve-teasing while travelling to school.The administration said several civil works are already at the tender or estimation stage and that work is expected to progress over the coming months. Aditya Ranjan, Deputy Commissioner of Dhanbad, said the purpose of the interaction was to understand what was actually happening in schools rather than relying only on official files.“The correct proof of our work is not in the files. It is in the work happening in the schools, in the satisfaction of the teachers and the children.”1,000 SCHOOLS IN FOCUSThe district administration is working on civil works in around 500 schools, while another 500 schools are being considered for facilities such as benches and desks, musical instruments and computers.The administration's larger plan is to develop government schools towards the standard of CM School of Excellence, with a focus on giving rural students facilities similar to those available in private schools.Ranjan said the interaction helped officials identify problems that they were not previously aware of.He added that the administration would focus on addressing shortcomings across around 1,750 schools in the district, with the aim of ensuring that government-school students have a better learning environment.POLICE TO PATROL SCHOOLSGirls also raised safety concerns, particularly about harassment and unwanted attention while travelling to school.Following the concerns, the Senior Superintendent of Police announced that police stations would conduct regular patrolling around schools and check the surroundings.Ranjan said the administration expects visible changes on the ground over the next six months.- EndsPublished By: Princy ShuklaPublished On: Aug 26, 2026 14:19 IST