Seven Class X students have been expelled from a residential school run by the Odisha ST & SC Development Department at Rivalkana under Kolnara block in Rayagada district for allegedly assaulting junior students.

The Rayagada district administration has also registered a case against the accused at the local police station. The incident came to light after a video, purportedly showing the assault inside the hostel, went viral on social media.

Preliminary investigation revealed that, besides the main accused, six other students were involved in the late-night incident on August 2, 2026. While one student recorded the video, the others allegedly intimidated the victims and took part in the assault. The footage showed junior students being subjected to brutal thrashing by a Class X student.

Following the incident, the district administration ordered an inquiry, which found serious indiscipline on the part of the accused students. Parents of the victims demanded stringent action against those involved.

The episode has also highlighted deeper systemic issues in government-run residential schools. According to school authorities, despite having 265 students enrolled, only five teachers are managing both academic responsibilities and hostel administration, causing significant administrative strain. Additionally, although the headmaster was transferred on June 18, 2026, a replacement has yet to join.

The acute shortage of teachers and administrative staff across residential schools run by the ST & SC Development Department has adversely affected not only academics but also student supervision, observe parents. Many students in such institutions come from families of first-generation learners or illiterate parents, making institutional oversight even more critical.

While steps were taken to strengthen monitoring in girls’ hostels following reports of sexual assault in different parts of Odisha, similar levels of supervision appear to be lacking in boys’ hostels. However, parents in tribal pockets consider admission into residential schools as a ticket to a bright future.

According to government, Odisha is one of the leading States in providing residential schooling facilities to the tribal students.

“ST&SC Development Department is managing 1765 educational institutions across the State under its administrative control including 1615 residential schools from primary to higher secondary level. About 5.52 lakh students comprising 90% scheduled tribe and 10% scheduled caste students are residing in 5967 hostels including 100 hostels under Anwesha scheme, four hostels under Akankhya scheme and 2498 hostels attached to the schools of School and Mass Education Department,” it says.

Published - August 07, 2026 10:29 am IST