Fri Jul 25 21:20:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the provided text, followed by a news article rewrite, keeping in mind the requested Indian perspective:
**Summary:**
Two 10th-grade girls in a residential school in the Kandhamal district of Odisha, India, have been found to be pregnant, prompting a police investigation. This incident has brought renewed attention to the issue of sexual assault and abuse within tribal residential schools in the state. A study conducted in 2018 highlighted the involvement of school staff in previous cases, leading to mandated health check-ups for students after vacations. Data reveals a disturbing history of abuse within these schools, raising concerns about the safety and well-being of vulnerable students.
**News Article:**
**Odisha Police Investigate Pregnancy of Two Students, Sparking Concerns Over Tribal School Safety**
**Bhubaneswar, July 26, 2025** – Police in Kandhamal district, Odisha, have launched an investigation after two 10th-grade students at a state-run residential school were found to be pregnant. The District Welfare Officer filed the complaint on Friday, July 25th, after routine medical examinations revealed the pregnancies following the girls’ return from summer vacation.
The incident has reignited long-standing concerns about the safety and security of girls in the state’s tribal residential schools. The ST & SC Development, Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare Department has acknowledged previous cases, revealing that 22 tribal girl students were victims of sexual assault, with 34 individuals accused of these crimes, between 2018 and 2023. Twelve victims were found to have given birth. The department oversees 1,737 residential schools across Odisha, educating a significant 4,26,903 students, predominantly from tribal communities.
A 2018 study by the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Research and Training Institute (SCSTRTI) revealed a disturbing trend of sexual abuse within these institutions, with allegations often substantiated and, in several cases, involving school staff. The study analyzed 29 cases reported between 2011 and 2016, uncovering that 13 headmasters and four teachers were accused in these cases.
“These incidents are deeply concerning and raise serious questions about the systems in place to protect our children, especially those from vulnerable communities,” said a local activist (Name withheld to protect privacy). “The government must ensure thorough investigations, strict accountability, and implement robust measures to prevent future occurrences.”
Following the earlier revelations of staff involvement, the state government mandated health check-ups for female students after vacations to detect pregnancies, but these measures appear to have been insufficient. Critics are calling for more comprehensive safeguarding policies, improved supervision, and increased awareness among students about their rights and available support systems. The focus now will be on the police investigation, to bring the perpetrators to justice.
First Piper 